The Influence of Weekly Sprint Volume and Maximal Velocity Exposures on Eccentric Hamstring Strength in Professional Football Players [Article Review]

Introduction: Relevance and Applicability

This article is highly pertinent for sport coaches and strength and conditioning (S&C) professionals due to its focus on the relationship between sprinting loads and hamstring strength, a crucial factor in injury prevention, especially in football where hamstring injuries are prevalent. Given that hamstring strains typically occur during high-velocity sprinting and are associated with reduced eccentric strength, understanding how training loads influence muscular resilience can inform targeted interventions. The study’s emphasis on monitoring weekly sprint efforts at velocities >90% of maximum provides actionable insights for optimizing training loads, ultimately aiming to reduce injury risk and enhance athlete performance during the demanding season.

Key Takeaways and Applicable Results

• Sprint Efforts at >90% Max Velocity Matter: The study found that completing 7-8 efforts per week at velocities >90% of max velocity significantly decreased eccentric hamstring strength, a key factor linked to injury risk.

• Total Weekly Sprint Distance Is Less Critical: Interestingly, total weekly sprint distance did not directly influence eccentric hamstring strength, suggesting that the number of high-intensity efforts is more relevant than the overall distance covered at high speeds.

• Threshold for Hamstring Strength Decrease: The critical threshold identified was 7–8 efforts per week at >90% velocity; exceeding this number may impair strength and potentially elevate injury risk.

• Limited Effects of Efforts >95%: Due to the minimal number of efforts recorded at >95%, no definitive relationship was established between efforts at this intensity and hamstring strength, but GPS limitations might underestimate efforts at such high velocities.

• Monitoring and Load Management: The findings emphasize the importance of dose control—avoiding excess efforts at high velocity—while ensuring sufficient exposure to maintain hamstring resilience, which can be integrated into athlete management systems.

  
  

Conclusion & Practical Application

For coaches and S&C practitioners working in football or similar high-velocity sports, this study underscores the necessity of monitoring weekly sprint efforts, particularly those exceeding 90% of max velocity. To reduce hamstring injury risk, it is advisable to limit players’ weekly efforts at >90% velocity to no more than 6–7 exposures. Incorporating regular eccentric hamstring strength assessments (e.g., Nordic Hamstring Exercise) alongside load monitoring enables personalized strategies to optimize strength and performance. Moreover, carefully planned sprint drills that simulate match demands, while avoiding workload spikes, can help maintain muscular integrity and resilience, ultimately contributing to injury prevention and optimized athlete performance during congested schedules.

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