Acute effects of different dynamic exercises on hamstring strain risk factors

Che Hsiu Chen; Ye Xin; Kuang Wu Lee; Ming Ju Lin; Jiu Jenq Lin

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0191801

Acute effects of different dynamic exercises on hamstring strain risk factors

PLoS One. 2018 Feb 1;13(2):e0191801. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191801. eCollection 2018.

Authors

Che Hsiu Chen^{1

2}, Ye Xin³, Kuang Wu Lee², Ming Ju Lin⁴, Jiu Jenq Lin⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Sport Performance, National Taiwan University of Sport, Taichung, Taiwan.
² Graduate Institute of Sports Training University of Taipei, Taiwan.
³ Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management, University of Mississippi, Mississippi, United States of America.
⁴ Department of Physical Education, Health and Recreation, National Chiayi University, 85 Wenlong Village, Minsyong Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan.
⁵ School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan.

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the acute effects of different dynamic exercise interventions on hamstring muscle performance. Thirty-six young men with poor hamstring flexibility were randomly assigned to three intervention groups: jogging combined with dynamic open kinetic chain stretching (DS), jogging combined with dynamic closed kinetic chain stretching (lunge with eccentric hamstring windmills, LEC), and jogging only (CON) groups. Hamstring flexibility, muscle stiffness (area under the curve, AUC), joint position sense (JPS), maximal eccentric strength (ECC), and angle of peak torque (APT) were recorded before and immediately after the exercise interventions. The results showed that the hamstring flexibility increased in DS (p < 0.001); muscle stiffness decreased in DS and was lower than jogging (p < 0.001). Moreover, ECC increased in LEC and was higher than jogging and DS (p < 0.001). APT was different among 3 groups (p < 0.001). Decreased accuracy of JPS was found in DS and jogging (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the dynamic closed kinetic chain stretching (LEC) as compared to open kinetic chain stretching (DS) or jogging group, may be an effective technique to enhance muscle performance during the pre-competition warm-up routine.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Hamstring Muscles / injuries
Hamstring Muscles / physiology*
Humans
Male
Muscle Stretching Exercises / methods*
Risk Factors
Sprains and Strains / etiology*
Young Adult

Grants and funding

Funded by Ministry of Science and Technology in Taiwan (101-2410-H-259-082) to Che Hsiu Chen. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.