Hamstring Muscle Stiffness in Athletes with and without Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction History: A Retrospective Study
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- jcm-13-04370
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- https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/13/15/4370
Final published version
Introduction: Sports requiring sprinting, jumping, and kicking tasks frequently lead to hamstring strain injuries (HSI). One of the structural risk factors of HSI is the increased passive stiffness of the hamstrings. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury history is associated with a 70% increase in the incidence of HSI, according to a recent meta-analysis. The same report recommended that future research should concentrate on the relationships between the HSI risk factors. Hence, the present study aimed to retrospectively compare changes in the passive stiffness of the hamstrings in athletes with and without ACL reconstruction history. Methods: Using ultrasound-based shear-wave elastography, the mid-belly passive muscle stiffness values of the biceps femoris long head, semimembranosus, and semitendinosus muscles were assessed and compared amongst athletes with and without a history of ACL reconstruction. Results: There were no significant differences in the biceps femoris long head (injured leg (IL): 26.19 ± 5.28 KPa, uninjured contralateral (UL): 26.16 ± 7.41 KPa, control legs (CL): 27.64 ± 5.58 KPa; IL vs. UL: p = 1; IL vs. CL: p = 1; UL vs. CL: p = 1), semimembranosus (IL: 24.35 ± 5.58 KPa, UL: 24.65 ± 8.35 KPa, CL: 22.83 ± 5.67 KPa; IL vs. UL: p = 1; IL vs. CL: p = 1; UL vs. CL, p = 1), or semitendinosus (IL: 22.45 ± 7 KPa, UL: 25.52 ± 7 KPa, CL: 22.54 ± 4.4 KPa; IL vs. UL: p = 0.487; IL vs. CL: p = 1; UL vs. CL, p = 0.291) muscle stiffness values between groups. Conclusions: The passive mid-muscle belly stiffness values of the biceps femoris long head, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus muscles did not significantly differ between previously injured and uninjured athletes; therefore, further assessment for other muscle regions of hamstrings may be necessary. To collect more comprehensive data related to the structural changes that may occur following ACL reconstructions in athletes, a future study should examine the passive stiffness of wider muscle regions from origin to insertion.
Keywords
- Posterior thigh, Ligament injuries, Lower limb, Sonoelastography, Muscle hardness, Muscle tenderness, Elasticity
Original language | English |
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Article number | 4370 |
Journal | Journal of Clinical Medicine |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 15 |
Publication status | Published - 26 Jul 2024 |
Research outputs (3)
- Published
Rugby Players Exhibit Stiffer Biceps Femoris, Lower Biceps Femoris Fascicle Length to Knee Extensors, and Knee Flexors to Extensors Muscle Volume Ratios Than Active Controls
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- Published
Alterations in biceps femoris long head fascicle length, eccentric hamstring strength qualities and single-leg hop distance throughout the ninety minutes of TSAFT90 simulated football match
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- Published
Heterogeneous effects of eccentric training and nordic hamstring exercise on the biceps femoris fascicle length based on ultrasound assessment and extrapolation methods: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials with meta-analyses
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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