Preventive Effect of Eccentric Training on Acute Hamstring Injuries in Men’s Soccer

The incidence of acute hamstring injuries is high in several sports, including the different forms of football. PURPOSE: The authors investigated the preventive effect of eccentric strengthening of the hamstring muscles using the Nordic hamstring exercise compared with no additional hamstring exercise on the rate of acute hamstring injuries in male soccer players. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

Fifty Danish male professional and amateur soccer teams (942 players) were allocated to an intervention group (461 players) or a control group (481 players). Players in the intervention group conducted a 10-week progressive eccentric training program followed by a weekly seasonal program, whereas players in the control group followed their usual training program. The main outcome measures were numbers of overall, new, and recurrent acute hamstring injuries during 1 full soccer season.