The research paper titled "Influence on Strength and Flexibility of a Swing Phase-Specific Hamstring Eccentric Program in Sprinters' General Preparation" by Kenny J. Guex, Veronique Lugrin, Stephane Borloz, and Gregoire P. Millet (2016) delves into the important issue of hamstring injuries in sprinters, which are common and often occur during the terminal swing phase of running. The study seeks to investigate whether a swing phase-specific hamstring eccentric training program can effectively improve strength, ratio, optimum angle, and flexibility in well-trained sprinters compared to a control group.
The importance of understanding hamstring injuries in sprinters cannot be understated, as these injuries can sideline athletes for significant periods and have a negative impact on performance. Therefore, finding effective methods to prevent and treat these injuries is crucial, particularly in the world of track and field.
Eccentric training has been shown to be effective in reducing hamstring injury rates by addressing various risk factors associated with these injuries. The study by Guex et al. (2016) hypothesised that a swing phase-specific hamstring eccentric training program, performed at the beginning of the winter preparation phase, would be more efficient in improving strength, ratio, optimum angle, and flexibility in sprinters compared to a similar program without hamstring eccentric exercises.
The study involved twenty sprinters (7 men and 13 women) who were randomly allocated to either an eccentric group or a control group. Both groups continued with their usual track and field training throughout the study period. The eccentric group underwent a 6-week hamstring eccentric program that focused on eccentric high-load open-chain kinetic movements specific to the swing phase of the running cycle, covering the entire hamstring length-tension relationship.
The results of the study revealed that the eccentric group showed significant improvements in hamstring peak torques in both concentric and eccentric contractions, as well as in conventional and functional ratios and flexibility. On the other hand, the control group only showed minor improvements in eccentric peak torques. These findings suggest that incorporating a swing phase-specific hamstring eccentric training program in sprinters can be beneficial in addressing various risk factors for hamstring injuries.
In conclusion, the research put forward by Guex et al. (2016) provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of a swing phase-specific eccentric hamstring training program in improving strength, ratio, optimum angle, and flexibility in well-trained sprinters. The findings highlight the importance of targeted eccentric training in addressing hamstring injury risk factors in sprinters and emphasises the potential benefits of incorporating such a program into athletes' training regimens.
It must however be remembered that no research is absolute or without shortfalls. This paper could have been improved upon if the athletes were blinded, there were more participants and the training/testing period was longer or recorded over multiple seasons. Despite this Guex et al. (2016) have contributed to the existing body of knowledge on hamstring injuries in sprinters, providing valuable information for coaches, trainers, and athletes to consider when seeking to prevent and manage these injuries effectively.
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