Relationship between physical function and hamstrings strain in junior high school soccer players

Abstract

In this study, we examined the relationship between physical function and muscle strain of hamstrings in junior high school soccer players. The subjects were 29 junior high school soccer players. The muscle strength of knee flexors and extensors relative to body weight and the hamstrings/quadriceps muscle strength ratio (H/Q ratio) were measured, and a tightness test, general joint looseness test and the New Physical Fitness Test of Japanese Ministry of Education and science were performed. We contacted the trainer to confirm occurrence of hamstrings strain, and we compared the above measurement and test results in subjects with and those without hamstring strain. Differences were analyzed by the unpaired t-test. There were significant differences between the two groups in muscle strength of knee extensors, H/Q ratio and tightness of hamstrings (p<0.05). The results suggest that increasing the H/Q ratio and stretching hamstrings are important for preventing hamstrings strain in junior high school soccer players.