Analysis of lower limb injury prevention programmes in relation to hamstring and anterior cruciate ligament risk factors in team sport athletes

Hamstring and anterior cruciate ligament injuries are, respectively, the most prevalent and serious non-contact occurring injuries in team sports. Several biomechanical and neuromuscular risk factors have been suggested to be associated with these injuries. Consequently, preventative programmes including different exercise modality have been proposed to modify the injury risk factors. However, there is still a lack of uniform criteria regarding the design of an ideal protocol for effective protection against the two aforementioned injuries in team sport athletes. The preliminary study (study 1) was carried out to evaluate the effect of two different preventative programmes on hamstring strength and torque angle relationship. The results revealed that although both programmes increased hamstring strength, the effect of interventions on knee flexors torque-angle relationship was significantly different. Therefore, a systematic review of literature (study 2) was conducted to clarify the effect of different preventive strategies to modify ACL and hamstring risk factors. Study 2 revealed that multifaceted programmes are the most successful to positively modify the ACL risk factors. Moreover, resistance exercises demonstrated to be an effective component of injury prevention programmes to produce adaptation for preventing hamstring injury in athletes. Furthermore, two observational studies aimed to analyse lower extremity muscle activation pattern during five common preventative exercises were conducted. Findings from the preliminary, systematic review and the two observational studies highlighted the importance of designing new innovative protocols aimed to produce positive changes in injury risk factors. Based on recent evidence supporting the effectiveness of isoinertial technology in attenuating the rate of injuries in athletes, the last study was conducted to compare the effect of isoinertial technology-based versus traditional bodyweight training on ACL and hamstring risk factors. Results indicated that a 20-minute multifaceted program, involving 6 exercises performed with isoinertial technology, implemented twice a week during a period of 6 weeks is effective to enhance tuck jump assessment, hamstring muscle strength and repeated shuttle sprint ability. In conclusion, injury prevention protocols using a combination of different exercises modalities, including the use of isoinertial-technology and technical feedback appears to be effective to positively modify the associated hamstring and ACL risk factors in uninjured team sport athletes.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Greenwich

Year dc:date.issued

2017

Author dc:creator

• Monajati, Alireza

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Naclerio, Fernando
• Goss-Sampson, Mark

• RC1200 Sports Medicine
• RD Surgery

Language dc:language

en