Background: Hamstring strain injury (HSI) is the most common cause of missing practices and sporting events among running-related athletes. The incidence rate of recurrence in individuals with HSI ranges from 12% to 63%. While various risk factors for HSI have been identified, the alterations and role of biomechanical factors as potential causes of injury have been largely overlooked. Objectives: To report the critical biomechanical parameters assessed among running-related athletes with a recurrent HSI and to present common testing protocols in assessing the biomechanical parameters among running-related athletes with a recurrent HSI. Methods: Eligibility Criteria: Included studies investigated biomechanical parameters assessed among collegiate or elite running-related athletes with recurrent HSI. Sources of Evidence: This scoping review was registered in OSF and was conducted based on PRISMA-ScR. Six electronic databases were systematically searched from 1993 to May 2022. Charting Methods: The reviewers created a data charting tool for the scoping review. Results: Out of 874 articles, a total of 10 articles were included in the scoping review. The critical biomechanical parameters assessed include trunk flexion, hip flexion, and knee extension angles (kinematic variables), flight and stance times and velocity (spatiotemporal variables), and EMG activity of biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris, knee flexion and extension angle peak joint torque (kinetic variables). The most common running test protocols used were the 30-meter overground repeated sprint test, a percentage of maximum running velocity (treadmill), and repeated sprints on a non-motorized treadmill. The most common protocols for isokinetic muscle testing were 60 degrees (concentric), 300 degrees (concentric), and 180 degrees (eccentric) per second angular velocities. Conclusion The review demonstrated a need for more research on this topic, leading to only limited biomechanical parameters being discussed in the literature. This underscores the need for more rigorous research that could have practical applications for athletes and coaches.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Athletes

BACKGROUND

Feasibility studies are a necessary first step in assessing the practicality of methods and procedures used in a more extensive study. Others emphasize that feasibility studies aim to test the practical aspects of a future study and use the results to inform modifications that can enhance the study design and increase the chances of success in the more extensive study. Before conducting the main study, we rigorously refined data collection procedures based on the best available evidence, informed by the scoping review, expert consultation, and pilot testing.

To evaluate the feasibility and practicality of the proposed research methodology and to identify and address potential challenges associated with data collection. The specific objective is to determine the intra-rater reliability in determining MVIC, which is part of the procedure in the sEMG protocol.

This study is composed of two phases: (Phase 1) a pragmatic pilot study using an experienced biomechanist to refine the protocol. Thorough preparation, including a dry run and expert review, preceded the pilot study. (Phase 2) a preliminary testing phase to evaluate the protocol and to assess the intra-rater reliability of the MVIC used in the sEMG protocol. A high speed treadmill, Nexus software, Vicon and Delsys sEMG systems were used to capture kinematic and muscle activity data during high-speed running, enabling a comprehensive biomechanical analysis.

The final protocol underwent a feasibility and acceptability assessment based on five pre-defined metrics: recruitment efficacy, optimization of data acquisition methodologies, data integrity and completeness, procedural tolerability, and resource allocation efficiency. Pilot testing anomalies and their respective corrective actions were systematically documented. Furthermore, the intra-rater reliability of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) measurement exhibited a range from moderate to excellent, as determined by statistical analysis.

This study successfully demonstrated the feasibility and practicality of our research methods. We evaluated all identified parameters and completed the assessments on schedule. The feasibility study proved valuable in identifying and addressing challenges encountered during data collection, such as equipment malfunctions and logistical hurdles. The study also demonstrated a moderate to excellent intra-rater reliability of MVIC assessment.

Objective: Our study aims to establish interrater reliability in performing the step-by-step procedure of selected pain provocation tests for hamstrings and special tests for lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries. Study Design: An interrater reliability study Setting: University of Santo Tomas - Sports Science Laboratory Participants: Ten healthy adults (five females, five males; age = 22.2 ± 0.42) from the university community. Main outcome measures: Interrater reliability of performing step-by-step procedures for selected pain provocation tests for hamstrings (painful resisted knee flexion 90°, painful resisted knee flexion 30°, active slump test, Puranen-Orava Test, bent knee stretch) and special tests for lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries (Lachman’s test, McMurray’s test, posterior drawer test, valgus, and varus stress test). Results: Fleiss kappa showed perfect agreement (κ = 1.00) for all test procedures except for Lachman’s test procedure 1 (κ= -0.11 [95% CI, -0.36 to 0.14]), active slump test procedure 4 (κ= -0.03 [95% CI, -0.28 to 0.23]), active slump test procedure 5 (κ= -0.11 [95% CI, -0.28 to 0.23]), and active slump test procedure 6 (κ= -0.05 [95% CI, -0.31 to 0.20]), which resulted in negative agreements. Conclusions The researcher developed protocols for each special and provocative test were consistent in measuring the intended procedures, and the raters were generally consistent with their ability to measure these tests.