Sprint running mechanics are associated with hamstring strain injury: a 6-month prospective cohort study of 126 elite male footballers

Review written by Dr Michael Reiman info

Key Points

  1. Sprint Mechanics Assessment Score (S-MAS) appears to be a quick and reliable method, with parameters that are easily visible using slow-motion video footage.
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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Several risk factors for hamstring strain injury (HSI) have been identified, including age, a history of HSI, and eccentric hamstring strength (1). A recent systematic review found either no differences or contradictory findings between the running biomechanics of athletes who retrospectively or prospectively sustained a HSI and controls (2).

This study aimed to investigate the association between sprint running kinematics, using the Sprint Mechanics Assessment Score (S-MAS, a 12-item qualitative movement screening tool developed for in-field kinematic assessment), and both retrospective and prospective HSI in elite male football players.

Several risk factors for hamstring strain injury have been identified, including age, a history of hamstring strain injury, and eccentric hamstring strength.
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Sprint mechanics should be considered within a broader context of other risk factors for HSI, such as physical qualities, individual characteristics, and training loads.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study of 118 professional male football players from eight clubs in the English football league were followed across six months.

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