1. The document discusses research on the effects of eccentric hamstring exercises for soccer players. It reviews 6 studies that provide evidence that eccentric hamstring strengthening can improve muscle strength and balance, increase peak torque, and reduce the risk of hamstring injury compared to concentric strengthening alone. 2. One key study found that performing eccentric hamstring exercises during the cool-down of soccer training sessions more effectively maintained strength compared to the warm-up. This has implications for reducing muscle fatigue. 3. The studies demonstrated increases in hamstring strength, peak torque, and hamstring to quadriceps ratios following eccentric training programs, as well as reductions in reported hamstring injuries among soccer players.

1. Effects of Eccentric Hamstring Exercise Page 1
The Effects of Eccentric Hamstring Exercise in the Soccer Player
Travis A. Parent MS, ATC, PES, CES, NASE
Research in Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention
Dr. Barry E. McGlumphy, ATC
December 4, 2010

2. Effects of Eccentric Hamstring Exercise Page 2
The Effects of Eccentric Hamstring Exercise in the Soccer Player
Introduction: The sport of soccer includes many demands on the human body. The game
is played all over the world, and there are many ideas out there as to how to prevent the common
hamstring “pull“ or “strain“. There are high incidences of hamstring strains in this sport. In many
collegiate programs around the country, much emphasis is placed in pre-season preventive
strengthening programs. The whole focus is not only on the ACL, but also on the hamstrings. It
is becoming more evident with the research, that an eccentric exercise program should be
implemented to ensure the success of their overall team finish.
There may be muscle imbalances from the beginning of the pre-season. This will put the
soccer player at risk, more so during the most fatigued state. The research conducted will provide
evidence via the hamstring/quadriceps ratio along with peak torque values for both muscle
groups throughout this paper. These objective findings will provide scientific evidence that
eccentric hamstring strengthening is effective.
According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the amount of hamstring
injuries in Men’s and Women’s soccer is higher than any other, single sport. (2) In this research
report, the text refers to more intervention strategies to reduce the incidence rate of hamstring
injury.
Statement of Research Problem: Soccer players face muscle fatigue in a soccer match.
Even the most conditioned soccer players are at risk. Soccer players in general need to develop
fatigue-resistant eccentric hamstring strengthening exercises and a proper warm-up to help
reduce the risk of injury. Along with the eccentric hamstring exercise, the research should lead to
possible improvements in the effects of muscle soreness, incidence of injury, and lead to an
increase in athletic performance. (1)
Data Sources: The data sources were found using PubMed and SPORTDiscus. Search
words included “eccentric hamstring strength”, “eccentric hamstring soccer” and “hamstring
strength in soccer”. The research consisted of only English written journal articles from scholarly
peer-reviewed data bases. The articles must be full text publications only. Any articles published
before the year 2002 were excluded.

3. Effects of Eccentric Hamstring Exercise Page 3
(1.)Small, K., McNaughton, L., Greig, M., & Lovell, R. (2009). Effect of timing of eccentric
hamstring strengthening exercises during soccer training: implications for muscle
fatigability. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 23(4), 1077-1083.
(2.)Cross, K.M., Gurka, K.K., Conaway, M., & Ingersoll, C.D. (2010) Hamstring strain
incidence between genders and sports in NCAA athletics. Journal of Athletic Training &
Sports Health Care, 2(3), 124-130.
Annotated Bibliography:
1. Chelly, M. S., Ghenem, M. A., Abid, K., Hermassi, S., Tabka, Z., Shephard, R. J.
(2010). Effects of in-season short-term plyometric training program on leg power,
jump- and sprint performance of soccer players. Journal of Strength and
Conditioning Research, 24 (10), 2670-2676.
Mohamed Ali Ghenem, Khalil Abid, and Mohamed Souhaiel Chelly come from the
Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar Said, in Tunis, Tunisia. Souhail
Hermassi is of the Laboratory of Physiology, and is a Faculty member of Medicine based in Ibn-
El-jazzar, Sousse, Tunisia. Zouhair Tabka and Roy Shephard are faculty of the Physical
Education and Health Program at the University of Toronto in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This
article was found in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and is directed towards
coaches and CSCS coaches in addressing the effects of in-season plyometric training in soccer
players.
This study included testing of 23 male soccer players that were divided between an
experimental (12) and a control group (11). Each group began the study by the authors
conducting baseline testing. Players maintained their eating habits, along with abstaining from
exercise before testing took place. The experimental group participated in depth and hurdle
jumps of different increments before the typical training session with the control group.
With plyometric training, there is an eccentric load placed on the muscle tissue, followed
by the stretch-shortening cycle. The authors address contradicting studies, in that some studies
had previously shown no impact from a plyometric program on a soccer player’s sprint
performance. The gains that the experimental group showed were not anticipated. The

4. Effects of Eccentric Hamstring Exercise Page 4
measurements from countermovement and squat jumps were measured by a force platform. The
40-m sprint was measured via a Video-camera kinematic. After the eight week session, there
were improvements to the experimental group that showed improvements in leg peak power
output, jump height, and sprint velocities over both acceleration (0–5 m) and maximal speed (0–
40 m) phases.
The benefits can possibly be due to the neuromuscular adaptation. With an increase in
muscle volume, positive influences on the neuromuscular system are more likely. That being
said, when should the eccentric exercises take place? This piece of research discusses the
neuromuscular benefits along with the performance improvements. That does not necessarily
mean that the training will reduce the number of injuries. It may even cause injuries--conducting
the training sessions during in-season training. This was a small group study, so it is hard to
acknowledge that it would not cause any injuries.
2. Chimera, N.J., Swanik, K.A., Swanik, C.B., & Straub, S.J. (2004). Effects of
plyometric training on muscle-activation strategies and performance in female
athletes. Journal of Athletic Training, 39(1), 24–31.
Nicole Chimera is a Certified Athletic Trainer based out of the University of Dayton, in
Dayton, Ohio. Kathleen Swanik has a PHD and is based out of Temple University in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Buz Swanik also holds a PHD and is Certified Athletic Trainer from
Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. The study was found in the Journal of Athletic
Training, to address the effects of plyometric training in female soccer and field hockey players.
In the Chelly et. al. group, the test subjects were male. In this research case study, the
study is based on 28 female soccer and field hockey players. This case study grouped similar
experimental (7 soccer; 2 Field Hockey) and control groups (7 soccer; 2 Field Hockey). An
electromyogram was used to collect data from 6 muscles: vastus medialis, vastus lateralis,
medial hamstrings, lateral hamstrings, hip abductors, and hip adductors. Vertical jump and sprint
speed were assessed via VERTEC device and infrared Polaris multi-event timer.
Although this piece tends to focus on the benefits of prevention of the ACL/knee injuries,
the benefits are still in the numbers. The study claims there are insignificant benefits to the
vertical jump and sprint performance, but attribute this due to the frequency of training being

5. Effects of Eccentric Hamstring Exercise Page 5
different than that of other studies. The study was not conducted during the competition season,
so the full benefit may still be there. The significant changes in the muscle-activation patterns
after plyometric training suggest that the neuromuscular co-ordination can modify and may
benefit dynamic joint stability. This correlates with other research and provides statistical proof
that combining eccentric strength training in-season can provide benefit for the soccer player.
Plyometric exercises should be incorporated into the training regimens of female athletes and
may reduce the risk of injury by enhancing functional joint stability in the lower extremity.
Chelly et. al. and this study are the only studies providing for true plyometric training to
soccer players. Although plyometric training may help increase the soccer player’s ability to be a
better athlete, it does not mean that the training decreases the chances of having a hamstring
strain. Although as discussed in this article, the hamstring/quadriceps ratio increases with
training; therefore, increasing the muscle’s ability to perform in a fatigued state. Plyometric
training is better than no specific training for the hamstrings at all.
3. Small, K., McNaughton, L., Greig, M., & Lovell, R. (2009). Effect of timing of
eccentric hamstring strengthening exercises during soccer training: implications for
muscle fatigability. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 23(4), 1077-
1083.
Katie Small, Lars McNaughton, and Ric Lovell are members of the Department of Sport,
Healthy and Exercise Science at the University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom. Matt Greig is a
member of the Department of Sport and Physical Activity at Edge Hill University, in Ormskirk,
Lancahsire, United Kingdom. The research article by Small et. al. was featured in the Journal of
Strength and Conditioning Research mainly directed by those creating in-season soccer training
programs.
The timing of exercise is one of the most important concepts if one uses eccentric
strength training towards trying to improve one’s performance. In this case study, the authors test
16 semi-professional soccer players. Research has indicated that the further into a soccer game
an athlete participates, the eccentric hamstring strength will decrease. Research has also
indicated that if the soccer player includes eccentric hamstring strength via exercise, the injury
risk will decrease.

6. Effects of Eccentric Hamstring Exercise Page 6
This article conducts research on the fatigued athlete. The findings from this present
study indicate that performing eccentric hamstring strengthening exercises during the cool-down
rather than the warm-up of soccer training sessions more effectively maintains eccentric
hamstring strength. As discussed before, the timing of eccentric loading and strength training
will become more of an issue. This is positive in regards to more concrete based knowledge that
eccentric training does have the ability to reduce the risk of having a hamstring injury in-season.
Fatigue is a major topic among Tourny-Chollet et. al., Iga et. al., and Greig et. al.. In all
of these papers, the main topic of discussion is the effect of fatigue on mainly the hamstrings. If
the hamstrings are fatigued, the more likely they are to sustain an injury. Eccentric training is
touched upon all these research studies, described as one of the very few means to preventing
hamstring strains from taking place in a fatigued state.
4. Tourny-Chollet, C. & Leroy, D. (2002). Conventional vs. dynamic hamstring-
quadriceps strength ratios: A comparison between players and sedentary subjects.
Isokinetics and Exercise Science, 10. 183-192.
Claire Tourny-Chollet and David Leroy are faculty members of the Center of Functional
Rehabilitation at the University of Rouen, in France. A soccer team volunteered for testing and
analysis of their peak torque values for their hamstrings and quadriceps.
This research provides a good perspective on comparing national level soccer players to a
sedentary adult. The research collected data via hamstring eccentric/quadriceps concentric ratios.
The authors used a Cybex (Isokinetic measuring unit) to collect data and results. The interesting
fact that the authors found with this study was that the hamstring eccentric strength/quadriceps
concentric ratio for the national level soccer player produced less power than the sedentary
individual. This research provides the performance enhancing world with the knowledge that this
is a deficiency. As discussed with the Chimera et. al. research that with eccentric hamstring
strengthening, more power has more of a capacity to be produced. Also the soccer player is less
at risk for a hamstring injury. The key point in this piece of literature was based on the muscle
fatigue factor. This is a very important concept trying to persuade the “old school” coach to try
this in their training regimen.

7. Effects of Eccentric Hamstring Exercise Page 7
The concentric strength from the data reported in this study shows that soccer players
have greater muscular strength than sedentary subjects. The greater muscular strength of the
soccer players is due to the concentric strength developed during training. Their training focuses
mainly on the development of speed and strength, integrating both acceleration and rate changes
training. If the concentric strength is at a high level, and the eccentric strength is decreased due
to training, then the soccer player is at a very high risk due to muscle fatigue. Training that
muscle in eccentric phases may reduce the risk of hamstring strains. This was the only article
found to have scientific evidence that a soccer player’s performance is not decreased due to
eccentric training. This piece absolutely assures the reader that with isokinetic fatiguing of the
hamstrings muscle group, the soccer player does not lose the elasticity of that functioning muscle
group, nor do they face a deficiency with the hamstring/quadriceps ratio and peak torque.
5. Askling, C., Karlsson, J., & Thorstensson, A. (2003). Hamstring injury occurrence
in elite soccer players after preseason strength training with eccentric overload.
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 13: 244-250
Carl Askling and Thorstensson are members of the Department of Sport and Health Sciences
at the University College of Physical Education and Sports and Department of Neuroscience,
Karolinska Institute, in Stockholm, Sweden. Karlson is from the Department of Orthopedics, the
Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Ostra Goteborg, Sweden. This research article is science based
and was a controlled study.
This case study takes a direct look at the high level soccer player and their focus on a
strict eccentric hamstring strengthening exercise program to go along with their preseason
regimen. The study consisted of 30 professional soccer players (15 were placed in the
experimental group, 15 in the control group) from Sweden. The hamstring exercises were
conducted in a non-fatigued state (same as Chimera et. al.) but still produced quality results in
showing that eccentric hamstring strengthening is positive for the high level soccer players.
There were no differences in peak torque for the control group. On the other hand with the
experiment group, they had increases in peak torque and lower number of injuries reported. This
provides scientific evidence that the soccer players involved in the experiment group benefited
from the extra exercises performed prior to their training with the control group.

8. Effects of Eccentric Hamstring Exercise Page 8
When compared with some other studies such as the plyometric training groups (Chelly
et. al. & Chimera et. al.) and also the Lehance et. al. study, they provide the same scientific
evidence. They attribute the progress and success to the neuromuscular development. Although
this may be true, that is partially what the soccer player is seeking when performing these
exercises. Running velocities increase in all four studies along with the jump height in the
plyometric groups. Any type of training is better than nothing at all.
6. Mjolsnes, R., Amason, A., Osthagen, T., Raastad, T., & Bahr, R. (2004). A 10-week
randomized trial comparing eccentric vs. concentric hamstring strength training in
well-trained soccer players. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports,
14. 311–317.
Mjolsnes and Bahr come from the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Norwegian
University of Sport and Physical Education, Oslo, Norway. Dr. Roald Bahr has a MD and a PhD,
and is the corresponding author for this article. Amason, Osthagen and Raastad come from the
Physiology Section of the Norwegian University of Sport and Physical Education, Oslo, Norway.
Just like the articles provided from Asklin et. al, Steffen et. al, Arnason et. al., Lehance et. al.,
and Iga et. al.; the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports provides for a
concentrated focus on practical science based knowledge in their organization.
This article provided two experimental groups. 21 semi-professional soccer players were
split into two experimental groups, 11 that would complete their training with the Nordic
Hamstring exercises and 10 that would complete their training with Hamstring Curl exercises.
The Nordic Hamstring exercise consists of having the subject upright on their knees. They are
anchored by someone holding their ankles or placed where they are unable to lift their heels.
They then fall with their torso upright, and control their speed on the way down, providing an
eccentric muscle contraction on the hamstring’s muscle group.
In the Nordic Hamstring group, there was an 11% increase in eccentric hamstring torque
measured, as well as a 7% increase in isometric hamstring strength. Since there was no effect on
concentric quadriceps strength, there was a significant increase in the hamstrings/quadriceps
ratio.

9. Effects of Eccentric Hamstring Exercise Page 9
The Nordic Hamstring group experienced gains in peak torque, hamstrings/quadriceps
ratio, and in isometric hamstring strength. The hamstring curl group had no significant changes
to report from their baseline. In other studies (as mentioned before in previous articles) the
Nordic Hamstring exercise is crucial and beneficial to any training regimen. As reported in the
Askling et. al. study, these exercises should be performed following training, or at least in the
pre-season part of training. Also another interesting point of view is the fact that the Nordic
Hamstrings exercise can be done functionally on the field.
The Nordic Hamstring exercises were a popular choice of exercise to train the hamstrings
eccentrically. Along with this study, the benefits were also seen with Steffen et. al., Arnason et.
al., Iga et. al., & Greig et. al. Since this exercise is a pure eccentric hamstring exercise, the
benefits are speaking louder than with the plyometric training or isokinetic training. Isokinetic
training such as with Tourny-Chollet et. al., provides for some evidence that the training is
effective. The Nordic Hamstring exercise is cost effective and functional for both in the Athletic
Training room and on the field.
7. Holcomb, W.R., Rubley, M.D., Lee, H.J., & Guadagnoli, M.A. (2007). Effect of
hamstring emphasized resistance training on hamstring/quadriceps strength ratios.
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 21(1), 41-47.
All the authors work for the Sports Injury Research Center, in the Department of
Kinesiology, at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada. The information presented in this
article was presented in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, and met the criteria
controlled by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
The emphasis of this article is placed on 12 NCAA female soccer players. Again some
focus is on the ACL prevention, but this article focuses mainly on the peak torque and
hamstring/quadriceps strength ratios. The article provides a fact that the eccentric hamstring
strengthening exercises increase the functional capacity of the soccer player. The more
functional a soccer player can be, the less at risk they are for injury. There is a direct correlation
in this article when comparing quadriceps/hamstring ratios when comparing the values with the
incidence of injury.

10. Effects of Eccentric Hamstring Exercise Page 10
This research study was conducted eight months removed from any other sort of strength
training. As with other case studies, the results are not absolute in regards to total injury
prevention. The Chimera et. al. and Chelly et. al. research articles touch on dynamic eccentric
hamstring loading, as opposed to most of the other research found. This is no different. The
emphasis is placed on hamstring curls, “Good Morning” strength exercises, and straight leg dead
lifts. The conventional exercises provide for less positive results than the Nordic Hamstring
exercises in the other articles, but still better than no strength training at all. Another point of
emphasis in this article was the functional ability of the soccer player in general. If the soccer
player focuses on just one body part (i.e. hamstrings), the other muscles may atrophy or be
under-developed. This may expose that athlete, primarily the female soccer player to an ACL
tear.
With the exception of Arnason et. al., Chelly et. al., and this article, peak torque values
were provided in all the other annotated articles. These values are all so critical to providing
evidence whether an exercise works or not. The peak torque values provide for objective
quantities. The other studies tracked the progress using isokinetic machines (Biodex/Cybex). The
higher the quality of objective findings, the more scientific based our training may become.
8. Steffen, K., Bakka, H.M., Myklebust, G., & Bahr, R. (2008). Performance aspects of
an injury prevention program: a ten-week intervention in adolescent female
football players. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 18:596–
604.
Kathrin Steffen, Bakka, and Myklebust all are faculty members in the Department of
Sports Medicine, Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, at the Norwegian School of Sport
Sciences in Oslo, Norway. The Mjolsnes, R et. al. study also has Bahr as one of the authors. The
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports provides for Physical Therapists,
Physio-Therapists (Athletic Trainers in North America) and Medical Doctors throughout the
world.
As an evaluation on female soccer players, this research piece focuses on general
exercises to prevent injuries. Steffen et. al. has focused on the general conditioning of their
soccer players. There were no significant changes in peak torque in eccentric hamstring strength,

11. Effects of Eccentric Hamstring Exercise Page 11
nor an improvement in decreasing the number of injuries. Although this case report is very small,
and incorporated a small ten- week intervention of only 11 exercises. They did include the
Nordic Hamstring exercises and a small number of plyometric exercises (three).
It is acknowledged by the authors that even though the results were insignificant, soccer
programs would be doing themselves a favor by trying to incorporate more eccentric loading of
the hamstrings, to help prevent from non-contact injuries.
Their isometric testing and video analysis provided the researchers with data unlike the
previous studies. The study was conducted during the second half of the 2004 season. It is a good
idea to do the testing while in season, but the ability for the test subject to become familiar or
stay compliant with the training regimen is hard to believe. They have yet to provide further
research or articles in relation to this study. The inclusion of this study in this research paper
provides that not all training regimens will be successful, but the earlier implemented into one’s
training, the better the outcome.
9. Arnason, A., Andersen, T.E., Holme, I., Engebretsen, L., & Bahr, R. (2008).
Prevention of hamstring strains in elite soccer: an intervention study. Scandinavian
Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 18:40-48.
All of the authors are based out of the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Department
of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway. Arni Arnason also is
based out of the Department of Physical Therapy, University of Iceland in Reykjavik, Iceland.
This research article is critical to the whole picture. The whole basis of this research
based study was to address the issue of hamstring injuries with-in the professional soccer world.
About half of the professional teams in both Icelandic and Norwegian leagues that took part in
this intervention study. The intervention program was followed by teams that would include
Nordic Hamstring exercises (Icelandic teams) while the other group of teams (Norwegian teams)
would participate in a stretching regimen.
In this piece of literature, the authors state that the flexibility training does not have an
effect on the incidence of hamstring strains or other comparable soft tissue injuries. The key
point that this article presents is that eccentric hamstring strength training may help reduce the

12. Effects of Eccentric Hamstring Exercise Page 12
amount of hamstring injuries a soccer player may face. As many of the other studies have stated,
there are still limited amounts of literature on the scientific fact that this is the case. Without
more scientific research on the effects of these exercises, it is strictly going by small case studies
or samples as opposed to a large quantity of basis for a conclusion. Eccentric strength training
with Nordic hamstring exercises combined with warm-up stretching appears to reduce the risk of
hamstring strains, while there was no effect detected from flexibility training alone. The author
concludes that these results should be verified in randomized clinical trials. The flexibility
statement by the authors provides fact. The hamstrings may still maintain optimum length if
given the proper exercise prescription.
10. Lehance C, Binet J, Bury T, Croisier JL. Muscular strength, function performances
and injury risk in professional and junior elite soccer players. Scandinavian Journal
of Medicine and Science in Sports, 19:243-251.
Cedric Lehance and Bury are faculty members for the Department of Sports Physiology,
University of Liege located in Liege, Belgium, Binet and Croisier are faculty members of the
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, at the University Hospital Centre in Liege,
Belgium.
This article expresses the need for proper training with professional level, elite soccer
players. The incidence level of hamstring strains is very high in the sport of soccer as discussed
throughout this paper. This is an article that puts a focus on the topic of eccentric hamstring
strength training.
The study had fifty-seven test subjects. The test subjects were separated into three
separate groups. The three groups consisted of the professional level soccer players, U-21 soccer
players, and a “Junior” level consisting of U-17 year olds. The soccer players then were placed
through a battery of baseline tests. Once completed, the athletes completed a survey that
consisted of questions including prior injuries to lower body, mainly focusing on the
hamstring/knee. The results consisted on giving the authors what they were looking for. The
better the quadriceps/hamstring ratio, the less likely they were to have had an injury in the past.
Also a good predictor in this battery of tests, was that the exercises identified who was at risk
during the testing itself.

13. Effects of Eccentric Hamstring Exercise Page 13
A good piece of the research article is the fact that of 64% of the previously injured
athletes taking part in this survey showed deficiencies in their hamstrings/quadriceps ratio. These
soccer players are at risk and are in the most need of having to take part in an eccentric
hamstring strengthening regimen.
11. Iga, J., George, K., Lees, A., & Reily, T. (2009). Cross-sectional investigation of
indices of isokinetic leg strength in youth soccer players and untrained individuals.
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 19: 714-719.
Iga is a member of the Faculty of Sport, Health and Social Care, University of
Gloucestershire, in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom. Keith George, Less, and Reily are based
out of the Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, John Moores University in
Liverpool, England.
In other parts of the world, the identification of top young quality soccer talent is held in
high regards. In this study, it suggests that the involvement in soccer training may affect the
strength of the knee joint muscles. This will cause a discrepancy with the hamstring/quadriceps
ratio. The hamstrings may be weaker than their counterparts in the quadriceps. This research
article suggests just that.
This article also states that a good eccentric hamstring strengthening may need to be
introduced early in the training regimen to make the soccer player more able to manage the stress
that soccer causes to the body on a day to day training basis. This article takes a look at three
groups, one that is trained as a control group, one that is trained with resistance, and the other as
a conventional training regimen. The best results came from those that took part in the resistance
training aspect. The hope of the authors is that at no matter the age; if these are truly gifted
soccer players, that they be exposed to resistance training. This article used isokinetic testing
with a Cybex, much like many of the other articles as physical objective data.
12. Greig, M., & Siegler, J.C. (2009). Soccer-specific fatigue and eccentric hamstrings
muscle strength. Journal of Athletic Training, 44(2), 180–184.
Matt Greig has a PhD and worked for the Football Association, in Shropshire, United
Kingdom. Jason Siegler whom also has a PhD, is a Certified Athletic Trainer that worked at the

14. Effects of Eccentric Hamstring Exercise Page 14
University of Hull, also located in the United Kingdom. They currently are colleagues at Edge
Hill University located in Lancashire, United Kingdom. The authors are focusing their research
and trying to provide the findings to all Athletic Trainers trying to increase their knowledge on
the topic.
This research article investigated the effects of fatigue on eccentric hamstring strength.
As a game is simulated, the muscles become fatigued. When a muscle becomes fatigued, the
muscle is at risk for an injury. This article addresses the problems that it found by creating a
simple solution. They are trying to create an eccentric hamstring strengthening program to
prevent muscle fatigue causing an injury. As I have discussed earlier, this would include the
Nordic Hamstring exercise and straight leg dead lifts. The authors had a small sample of soccer
players (ten). They put these soccer players through a simulated treadmill work out, and then
tested the athletes for their peak torque. Eccentric peak hamstrings torque deteriorated as a
function of exercise duration throughout the simulated match and after the simulated halftime.
This causes concern as the time of injury is indicated would occur right before half-time or
during the second-half. This research showed that more would need to be done on the timing of
the exercises and training. Conducting these exercises after a training session would be more
beneficial than before. The goal is to try to build the hamstrings to become more fatigue
resistant.
As with the other articles, at least coaches and trainers alike are becoming more aware
that this is the standard of care for the elite soccer players. The times of just kicking the ball
around are not good enough this day and age. The exercises are known to work. The timing, such
as in this article expresses when the training should take place. The progression of eccentric
training is evolving with each research study conducted. The study by Small et. al. is very similar
in findings. The later into a soccer match, the trained individual will be able to be unaffected by
the fatigue, while the un-trained individual is susceptible to a hamstring strain due to muscle
fatigue.
Clinical Implications: In a world of science, we are trying to make our athletes bigger,
faster and stronger. If we are focused on making these athletes bigger, the ATC needs to focus on
making sure these athletes are functionally capable. If a student athlete is unable to complete the
Nordic Hamstring exercise, then we know that student athlete has some sort of a deficiency.

15. Effects of Eccentric Hamstring Exercise Page 15
That student athlete will continue to be at risk for a hamstring strain, quadriceps strain, or even a
knee injury. I believe if we are pro-active instead of reactive, the better our athletes will perform.
They not only will perform better just for that reason, they will be a better athlete because of
what we are emphasizing. The integration of very few exercises from the very beginning of the
pre-season/off-season will provide less work in the Athletic Training room, to being out on the
soccer field watching the athletes be successful. The less focus we can have on the rehabilitation
process, the more focus can be placed on the performance enhancement process.
Conclusions: With the research that was analyzed and commented on, there is starting to
be an emphasis on prevention of hamstring injuries. The emphasis with coaches and other
individuals responsible for training any age of soccer player needs to be placed on simple
exercises in order to prevent a disabling injury. As the research has indicated, many soccer
players will face this injury.
With eccentric hamstring training, the soccer player’s peak torque values will provide for
quality strength in both the quadriceps and hamstrings. The quadriceps/hamstrings ratio will
provide the soccer player with more of an ability to be a better athlete. The training in eccentrics
will improve the neuromuscular development, allowing for a strong control of their bodies which
is very important. In a world of performance enhancing technique and application in the sport,
something as simple as including a couple of preventive eccentric exercises for the hamstrings
would not hurt the team at all. Exercises as simple as the Nordic Hamstring exercise and
Straight-Leg dead lift would be the most beneficial. The inclusion of some plyometric training
exercises would round out any soccer player’s program nicely. Eccentric exercises in the soccer
team’s program will reduce the risk of having hamstring pulls and strains during the soccer
season.
Future Research: As concluded in several of the annotated articles, more research needs
to be conducted in the timing of the exercise. Several articles were completed during the season,
some during pre-season, and some out-of-season training. It is easy to conclude that more
research needs to be conducted. The emphasis may be placed on specific training only in-season
or pre-season. Also, the emphasis of the research may be directed toward the inclusion of
eccentric hamstring exercises during the warm-up or cool-down periods. The final topic is

16. Effects of Eccentric Hamstring Exercise Page 16
becoming more evident with the fatigue resistant exercises; as they should be done towards the
cool-down phase. This is quite a change in theory and many coaches will be resistant to this idea.