Changes in rectus femoris architecture induced by the reverse nordic hamstring exercises

Contemporary practices of physical trainers in professional soccer: A qualitative study

Introduction

Physical trainers (PTs) are integral for managing load, reducing injury and optimizing performance in professional soccer. However, little is known about how this practitioners operate in the applied setting and how some of the nuances experienced influence practice.

Methods

This study explored the contemporary practices of PTs in professional soccer. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with eight PTs from different professional teams in European and South American leagues. Interview questions were designed to extract information on the evaluation of physical abilities, monitoring and control of training and injury prevention. Subsequently, the interviews were video-recorded, transcribed, translated and analyzed using a content analysis approach.

Results

The results suggest that the evaluation of physical capacities is carried out by PTs at the beginning of the preseason. It also appears that it is attempted that this process of regular testing is applied during the competitive period, with most participants conducting partial physiological and physical evaluations at different stages throughout the competitive season. In relation to the monitoring and control of training, subjective feedback scales are used to estimate the internal load, and the use of GPS devices is common to quantify external loads. Injury prevention programmes were implemented by all participants and were generally in a multi-component format focused on preventing or optimizing physical capabilities.

Discussion

These insights can be used as a scientific reference point to inform applied practice in professional soccer, especially for practitioners that are inexperienced and aspiring to enhance how they operate in the field. Future investigations should explore the practices of PTs in detail and across a wider network in order to gain deeper and comprehensive insights into the applied soccer environment.

Risk Factors for Quadriceps Muscle Strain Injuries in Sport: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To identify risk factors for quadriceps muscle strain injury in sport.

DESIGN

Risk factor systematic review.

LITERATURE SEARCH

A systematic search was conducted in the MEDLINECINAHL, Embase, AMED, AUSPORT, SPORTDiscus, PEDro, and Cochrane Library databases (from inception to September 2021).

STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA

Studies reporting prospective data to evaluate risk factors related to index and/or recurrent quadriceps muscle strain injury.

DATA SYNTHESIS

A risk-of-bias assessment (using a modified Quality in Prognosis Studies tool) was performed, and we used best-evidence synthesis to qualitatively synthesize the data to quantify relationships between risk factors and quadriceps muscle injury.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies were included, capturing 2408 quadriceps injuries in 11 719 athletes. Meta-analyses were not performed due to clinical heterogeneity. The dominant kicking leg (over 3154 individuals, 1055 injuries), a previous history of quadriceps muscle injury (6208 individuals, 975 injuries), and a recent history of hamstring strain (4087 individuals, 581 injuries) were intrinsic factors associated with quadriceps injury. Extrinsic factors relating to the preseason period and competitive match play increased quadriceps injury risk; participating at higher levels of competition decreased quadriceps injury risk. Age, weight, and flexibility (intrinsic factors) had no association with quadriceps injury.

CONCLUSION

Previous quadriceps injury, recent hamstring injury, the dominant kicking leg, and competitive match play were the strongest risk factors for future quadriceps muscle injury in sport. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2022;52(6):389-400. doi:10.2519/jospt.2022.10870.

Effects of Copenhagen Adduction Exercise on Muscle Architecture and Adductor Flexibility

Groin injuries are one of the most prevalent in sports, especially due to the hip adductor muscles’ weakness, which is considered as a risk factor. The Copenhagen adduction exercise (CAE) has been demonstrated to increase the strength of adductor muscles, but its effects on the architectural characteristics and flexibility of the adductors has been little studied. The aim of the present study was to analyse the impact on the muscular architecture and flexibility of the adductor musculature after 8 weeks of CAE-based training and after 4 weeks of subsequent detraining. A sample of 45 active subjects (26.1 ± 2.8 years old) were randomly divided into a control group with no intervention and an experimental group with an intervention based on 8 weeks of CAE training and 4 weeks of subsequent detraining. The muscle thickness of adductors was measured before and after training and detraining using ultrasound imaging and hip abduction range with goniometry. A significant increase in muscle thickness (left leg: +17.83%, d = 1.77, p < 0.001//right leg: +18.38%, d = 1.82, p < 0.001) and adductor flexibility was found in the experimental group (left leg: +7.3%, d = 0.96, p < 0.05//right leg: +7.15%, d = 0.94, p < 0.05), and after detraining, both variables returned to their initial values. These results could indicate that CAE would be a suitable strategy to modify the architecture of the adductors and thus form part of training protocols designed for the prevention and rehabilitation of muscle injuries.

Effects of Copenhagen Adduction Exercise on the Architectural Characteristics of Adductors in U-17 Male Soccer Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Groin injuries are one of the most prevalent in male soccer players, especially due to the hip adductor muscles’ weakness which is considered as a risk factor in these injuries. The Copenhagen adduction (CA) exercise has been demonstrated to increase the strength of adductor muscles, but its effects on the architectural characteristics of adductor muscles have not been studied yet. This study aimed to analyze the effects of the CA exercise on the muscle thickness of the adductors. Twelve male U-17 soccer players were randomized into two groups: the control group with no intervention and the experimental group with an intervention based on an eight-week training with CA exercise. The muscle thickness of adductors was measured before and after the intervention using ultrasound imaging. A significant increase in muscle thickness was found in both control (p = 0.002) and experimental group (p < 0.001), but the experimental group did not show additional effects in comparison with the control group. In conclusion, an 8-week CA exercise intervention does not increase the muscle thickness of adductors in U-17 soccer players more than their regular training.