INTRODUCTION

Strength is a key modifiable risk factor for hamstring strains with significant differences between injured and non-injured sides in the lengthened position. Ensuring the test-retest reliability of measurement protocols ensures consistent injury prevention, rehabilitation and return-to-sport planning.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the test-retest reliability of hamstring strength protocols in both standardized and lengthened positions among healthy adults.

STUDY DESIGN

Test-retest reliability study.

SETTING

Human Performance Laboratory, Fr. Roque Ruano building, University of Santo Tomas, Espana Manila.

PARTICIPANTS

Ten healthy adults (six males and four females; mean age: 26.5 ± 4.03 years).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Absolute and relative peak torque for concentric and eccentric hamstring and quadriceps were measured at 60°/sec, 180°/sec and 240°/sec in the standardized position (hip and knee flexed at 90°). In the lengthened position (hip flexed at 85° and knee at 30°), isometric knee flexion and peak torque for concentric and eccentric hamstring and quadriceps were assessed at 60°/sec and 180°/sec. Strength ratios were calculated for both positions.

RESULTS

Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) values demonstrated good to excellent reliability for peak torque measurements, with higher reliability in the standardized position (ICC 0.83-0.94) than in the lengthened position (ICC 0.79-0.96). Conventional and functional ratios varied, with lower ICCs for the right leg in the standardized position (ICC 0.32-0.92) and moderate to good reliability in the lengthened position (ICC 0.63-0.87).

CONCLUSION

Standardized and lengthened positions provide reliable assessments of absolute and relative peak torque for hamstring and quadriceps muscles during concentric and eccentric contractions across all speeds, including conventional and functional strength ratios.

Human ; Rehabilitation

Background: Hamstring strain injury remains persistently high in sports, highlighting the need for additional investigation of its predisposing variables. Despite hamstring injury being well investigated, there’s a lack of studies on changes in echo intensity and shear wave elastography of hamstrings among athletes with a history of injury, which could be considered modifiable risk variables. Objectives: To examine echo intensity and shear wave elastography characteristics of previously injured hamstrings among athletes, assessing the differences between the injured leg and controls. Methods: This systematic review will focus on studies reporting echo intensity and shear wave elastography characteristics of athletes with a history of hamstring strain injury compared to a control group. The search strategy will locate studies written in English from 1990 to 2023 using four electronic databases: PubMed, EBSCO (CINAHL and Medline), Science Direct, and Web of Science. Studies reporting measures using imaging other than ultrasound and where no diagnosis of hamstring strain has been made will be excluded. Two independent reviewers will screen and critically appraise the studies using the McMasters Critical Review Form. Two reviewers will independently extract relevant data and present a descriptive synthesis. A meta-analysis will be conducted when two or more studies provide data for the same outcome measure. Expected Results This review can better understand hamstring maladaptation to injury. Utilizing echo-intensity and shear wave elastography as objective outcome measures can inform clinical practice toward developing an effective rehabilitation program for injury prevention.
Wounds and Injuries ; Sports ; Rehabilitation