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Hamstring Injuries in Soccer Players

Tom Willemann |

A recent Danish study that is about to be published supports the use of Nordic Lowers in decreasing the incidence of hamstring injuries. This type of strengthening emphasizes the eccentric phase of a muscular contraction which is the “lengthening of the muscle fiber”.  It is during that this lengthening phase that most injuries occur.   Follow this link to see how this is peformed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA82YSc5OH4&am
p;feature=related

The basics of the program:

  • 10 week program
  • Once a week progressing to twice a week and finishing with three times a week
  • Study based on athletes in preseason program
  • Decreased risk was greater than 7x less likely to sustain an injury in the group that participated in this program.

Apparently the hamstring injuries in soccer players are now approaching the incident rates of ankle sprains.  Interestingly one of the previous studies found significant greater benefits when compared to groups that emphasized flexibility.  The research continues to support this type of intervention for the reduction in hamstring injuries with progressively more rigorous studies.  We hope to see some of these training techniques adopted with our local soccer clubs and high schools in the greater Wyckoff and Ridgewood area.
Reference for this article.  Hamstring trial confirms effectiveness of eccentric strengthening exercises.  Lower Extremity Review.  May 11/volume 3/number 5.  p.27

Tom Willemann

Tom Willemann

Tom Willemann is a premier physical therapist based out of Bergen County, New Jersey. He holds an MS in physical therapy from the University of Miami, is credentialed in the world-renowned McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), and holds an OCS (Orthopedic Clinical Specialist) certification. As of 2018, there are approximately 14,000 ABPTS certified specialists in the nation and less than 400 of them are located in the state of New Jersey. Tom is the owner and director of Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation in Paramus. He opened the clinic, which specializes in spine and sports injury prevention, in 2004 after many years of experience in the field. Tom’s caring interest in others and his strong belief in continuity of care, combined with his clinic’s ability to find solutions for the most difficult orthopedic problems, have earned Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation its excellent reputation with patients and medical professionals in northeastern New Jersey and beyond. A true “family man,” Tom takes pride in his clinic’s warm and welcoming environment.
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