Effect of high-speed running on hamstring strain injury risk

Duhig, Steven; Shield, Anthony; Opar, David; Gabbett, Tim; Ferguson, Cameron; Williams, Morgan

Item

Effect of high-speed running on hamstring strain injury risk

Duhig, Steven
;
Shield, Anthony
;
Opar, David
;
Gabbett, Tim
;
Ferguson, Cameron
;
Williams, Morgan

Citations

Google Scholar:

Lookup

Altmetric:

Author

Duhig, Steven
Shield, Anthony
Opar, David
Gabbett, Tim
Ferguson, Cameron
Williams, Morgan

Abstract

Background Hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) are common within the Australian Football League (AFL) with most occurring during high-speed running (HSR). Therefore, this study investigated possible relationships between mean session running distances, session ratings of perceived exertion (s-RPE) and HSIs within AFL footballers. Methods Global positioning system (GPS)-derived running distances and s-RPE for all matches and training sessions over two AFL seasons were obtained from one AFL team. All HSIs were documented and each player's running distances and s-RPE were standardised to their 2-yearly session average, then compared between injured and uninjured players in the 4 weeks (weeks −1, −2, −3 and −4) preceding each injury. Results Higher than ‘typical’ (ie, z=0) HSR session means were associated with a greater likelihood of HSI (week −1: OR=6.44, 95% CI=2.99 to 14.41, p < 0.001; summed weeks −1 and −2: OR=3.06, 95% CI=2.03 to 4.75, p < 0.001; summed weeks −1, −2 and −3: OR=2.22, 95% CI=1.66 to 3.04, p < 0.001; and summed weeks −1, −2, −3 and −4: OR=1.96, 95% CI=1.54 to 2.51, p < 0.001). However, trivial differences were observed between injured and uninjured groups for standardised s-RPE, total distance travelled and distances covered whilst accelerating and decelerating. Increasing AFL experience was associated with a decreased HSI risk (OR=0.77, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.97, p=0.02). Furthermore, HSR data modelling indicated that reducing mean distances in week −1 may decrease the probability of HSI. Conclusions Exposing players to large and rapid increases in HSR distances above their 2-yearly session average increased the odds of HSI. However, reducing HSR in week −1 may offset HSI risk.