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1- Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Humanity Sciences, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran
2- Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Garmian University, Kalar, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
2- Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Garmian University, Kalar, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
Abstract: (20 Views)
Purpose: On the one hand, hamstring strain is the most common injury in sprinters, and on the other hand, eccentric exercise is one of the most successful interventions. Despite numerous studies in this field, the effect of home-based eccentric exercise (HBEE) on the sports performance of sprinters prone to injury due to hamstring stiffness has not been examined. Therefore, in the current study, the effect of four weeks of home-based eccentric exercise on the stiffness, speed, and power of sprinters was investigated.
Methods: The current quasi-experimental research was conducted on 32 sprinters (Control:16 Athlets, age: 21.50±1.63 years old; height: 176.81±5.54 cm; weight: 70.44±7.54 kg; sprintering background: 6.56±1.51 years, and BMI: 22.51±1.97, and Training: 16 athletes, age: 22.19±1.68 years old; height: 175.01±6.70 cm; weight: 67.31±7.50 kg; sprintering background: 7.19±1.55 years, and BMI: 21.94±1.74). Straight Leg Raising angle, Popliteal Angle, and Perceived Stiffness tests were used to assess hamstring stiffness, and 100 and 60-meter running and vertical jump tests were used to evaluate speed and power. The training group (eight without and eight with hamstring tightness) performed six progressive eccentric exercises at home for 12 sessions over four weeks.
Results: The analysis of covariance revealed that, after implementing this protocol, the hamstring stiffness and sprint records (60-meter and 100-meter sprint times) of the training group decreased significantly (P = 0.01). So that after four weeks of training, the SLR angle increased from 70.62 to 76.3 degrees (8% improvement), and the popliteal angle from 155.41 to 163.49 degrees (5% improvement), perceived stiffness decreased from 2.72 to 0.99 (62% improvement), 100m running record decrease from 12.96 to 12.62 seconds (2.6% improvement), and the 60m running from 7.10 to 6.69 seconds (5.7% improvement), but had no significant effect on power (vertical jump).
Conclusion: The implementation of the present protocol is recommended for sprinters with hamstring stiffness. Because of its implementation, in addition to improving the flexibility of the hamstring and reducing possible injuries due to its stiffness, it improves the speed running record. Also, running coaches can use this protocol as a training program to increase performance and reduce the risk of injury for sprinters with hamstring stiffness.
Methods: The current quasi-experimental research was conducted on 32 sprinters (Control:16 Athlets, age: 21.50±1.63 years old; height: 176.81±5.54 cm; weight: 70.44±7.54 kg; sprintering background: 6.56±1.51 years, and BMI: 22.51±1.97, and Training: 16 athletes, age: 22.19±1.68 years old; height: 175.01±6.70 cm; weight: 67.31±7.50 kg; sprintering background: 7.19±1.55 years, and BMI: 21.94±1.74). Straight Leg Raising angle, Popliteal Angle, and Perceived Stiffness tests were used to assess hamstring stiffness, and 100 and 60-meter running and vertical jump tests were used to evaluate speed and power. The training group (eight without and eight with hamstring tightness) performed six progressive eccentric exercises at home for 12 sessions over four weeks.
Results: The analysis of covariance revealed that, after implementing this protocol, the hamstring stiffness and sprint records (60-meter and 100-meter sprint times) of the training group decreased significantly (P = 0.01). So that after four weeks of training, the SLR angle increased from 70.62 to 76.3 degrees (8% improvement), and the popliteal angle from 155.41 to 163.49 degrees (5% improvement), perceived stiffness decreased from 2.72 to 0.99 (62% improvement), 100m running record decrease from 12.96 to 12.62 seconds (2.6% improvement), and the 60m running from 7.10 to 6.69 seconds (5.7% improvement), but had no significant effect on power (vertical jump).
Conclusion: The implementation of the present protocol is recommended for sprinters with hamstring stiffness. Because of its implementation, in addition to improving the flexibility of the hamstring and reducing possible injuries due to its stiffness, it improves the speed running record. Also, running coaches can use this protocol as a training program to increase performance and reduce the risk of injury for sprinters with hamstring stiffness.
Keywords: Home-Based Exercise, Hamstring Stiffness, Sprinting, Injury Prevention, Eccentric Exercise
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Sport injury and corrective exercises
Received: 2025/06/12 | Accepted: 2025/10/7
Received: 2025/06/12 | Accepted: 2025/10/7
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