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Despite ongoing efforts, the relationship between groin strength and injury remains unclear. The challenge of accurately predicting injuries presents an opportunity for researchers to develop prevention strategies to reduce the occurrence of such injuries. Consequently, this issue requires further investigation to obtain insights into effective mitigation strategies. In 120 male soccer players, the maximum isometric strength of the hip muscle groups was measured, and the strength ratios were calculated. Previous injury and anthropometric data were registered. Injury data were collected following the FIFA/UEFA consensus. k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) was used to predict the incidence of injury, while the significant predictive variables of the k-NN algorithm were fitted into a multivariate logistic regression model (LR) to analyze the likelihood of players sustaining a groin injury. The LR model determined two variables as significant predictors of groin injury. Players were less likely to sustain a groin injury by 76% for each decrease of the adductor/abductor isometric strength ratio in the non-dominant limb (OR = 0.238, CI 95% = [(0.098–0.572]). Players with a history of previous injury had a 67% greater risk of sustaining an injury (OR = 0.333, CI 95% = [(0.1068–1.038]). Isometric hip adductor and abductor strength imbalances of the non-dominant lower limb and a history of previous injury were risk factors for groin injury in soccer players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soccer biomechanics is a field that applies principles of mechanics to improve performance and reduce the risk of injury for soccer players. The purpose of this research is to perform a mapping review of the existing knowledge in the current literature, identify leading researchers and institutions, and explore emerging research topics. After conducting a mini literature review, a bibliometric analysis was carried out using the VOSviewer software. The data imported into VOSviewer was obtained from the Scopus database and included 951 records. The analysis performed included: (a) performance analysis to calculate the number of records per year and the authors with the most citations; (b) science mapping analysis (co-authorship, co-citation, and bibliographic coupling); and (c) clustering analysis through the co-occurrence analysis of author keywords. Our findings highlight a significant growth in research publications on soccer biomechanics over the past few decades, with a notable increase in the number of articles published in high-impact journals. Additionally, the clustering analysis resulted in seven clusters, with each cluster providing valuable insights into different aspects of soccer biomechanics, which clearly reflects the multifaceted nature of the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soccer teams integrate specific exercises into their typical workout programs for injury prevention. This study examined the effects of hamstring exercise on paraspinal and hamstring stiffness. These findings can inform training and rehabilitation programs to improve muscle health and prevent injuries. Fifteen young, healthy males performed passive and active (submaximal) knee flexion efforts from 0°, 45°, to 90° angle of knee flexion from the prone position. Using shear-wave elastography (SWE) and surface electromyography, we measured the elastic modulus and root mean square (RMS) signal of the erector spinae (ES), multifidus (MF), semitendinosus (ST), and semimembranosus (SM) during different knee flexion angles. Passive SWE modulus at 0° was 12.44 ± 4.45 kPa (ES), 13.35 ± 6.12 kPa (MF), 22.01 ± 4.68 kPa (ST), and 21.57 ± 5.22 kPa (SM) and it was greater (p < 0.05) compared to 45° and 90°. The corresponding values during knee flexion contractions at 0° increased to 18.99 ± 6.11 kPa (ES), 20.65 ± 11.31 kPa (MF), 71.21 ± 13.88 kPa (ST), and 70.20 ± 14.29 kPa (SM) and did not differ between angles (p > 0.05). Compared to rest, the relative increase in the SWE modulus during active contraction had a median value (interquartile range) ranging from 68.11 (86.29) to 101.69 (54.33)% for the paraspinal muscles and it was moderately to strongly correlated (r > 0.672) with the corresponding increase of the hamstring muscles [ranging from 225.94 (114.72) to 463.16 (185.16)%]. The RMS signal was greater during active compared to passive conditions, and it was lower at 90° compared to 45° (for SM/ST) and 0° (for all muscles). The association between paraspinal and hamstring passive muscle stiffness indicates a potential transmission of forces through myofascial connections between the lumbar spine and the lower limbs. In this laboratory setting, hamstring exercises affected the stiffness of the paraspinal muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exercises that improve muscle activation are essential for maintaining spinal stability and preventing low back pain. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of abdominal hollowing and bracing on the activation of the core muscles in CrossFit® participants using ultrasound and electromyography (EMG). Twenty-four healthy adults aged 21 to 42 years old with at least two years of CrossFit® experience performed three core stability exercises (plank, side plank, bridge) with abdominal hollowing and bracing. We measured the ultrasound relative thickness of the local core muscles (transversus abdominis, internal oblique, and lumbar multifidus), and the EMG percentage of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the global core muscles (rectus abdominis, external oblique, and iliocostalis lumborum). Analysis of variance tests showed that the relative thickness of the local core muscles was greater (p = 0.016) during hollowing (range from 26.8 ± 5.33 to 88.4 ± 11.9% of rest) than bracing (range from 15.9 ± 3.54 to 61.2 ± 15.9% of rest), while the EMG of the global muscles was greater (p = 0.001) in bracing (range from 24.4 ± 7.30 to 72.5 ± 9.17% of MVC) than hollowing (range from 16.4 ± 3.70 to 56.6 ± 7.65% of MVC). These results indicate that the recruitment of spinal muscles during popular exercises is achieved with both hollowing and bracing. Nevertheless, it appears that hollowing tends to recruit more of the local muscles, whilst bracing recruits more of the global muscles. The grading of the exercises varied between muscles and varied between maneuvers, especially for the surface abdominals and lumbar muscles. CrossFit® practitioners can choose to use either hollowing or bracing to activate their core muscles more selectively or more appropriately, depending on the goal and purpose of the exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although ankle sprains are common in soccer, the role of various risk factors in amateur soccer players is unclear. Purpose: To identify the incidence of ankle sprain injuries, associated [...]

Exercises for lumbar multifidus (LM) muscle are important for injury and low back pain prevention and treatment. This study examined the differences in LM contraction thickness between variations of the superman and bird dog exercises. Twenty-one recreational athletes performed the superman exercise from the prone position with the following grading: rest, right upper extremity lift (RU), right lower extremity (RL) and upper and lower extremities lift (UL). They also performed the following bird dog variations from the quadruped position: rest, RU, RL and left upper - right lower extremity lift (LURL). LM muscle thickness of both sides was recorded using two ultrasonography (US) devices. LM thickness during superman-UL, was significantly greater compared with the other exercises and significantly lower during upper extremity exercises compared with lower extremity exercises (p < 0.05). No significant differences in LM thickness between sides was found (p > 0.05). The US measurements of LM thickness displayed good to excellent intrarrater reliability for both muscle sides. It appears that superman-UL is the most effective exercise for a greater contraction thickness of LM. Further, in order to progressively increase LM muscle thickness, upper extremity tasks should be performed prior to lower extremity tasks and combined upper and lower lifting tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bridging exercises with abdominal hollowing are often used as a regimen for improving spinal stability. Lately, this type of training has become very popular among elite athletes, creating a need for more demanding exercises. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the use of additional external resistance is beneficial for abdominal muscle recruitment during bridge exercise. Tissue movement of the transversus abdominis (TrA) and the rectus abdominis (RA) was recorded with the use of two synchronized ultrasonic devices, in 20 healthy college students. From the hook-lying position participants were examined in eight different exercise conditions: a) rest, b) abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM), c) bridge, d) bridge- ADIM, e) bridge with 10KG, f) bridge- ADIM with 10KG, g) bridge with 20KG and h) bridge-ADIM with 20KG. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a statistically significant increase in TrA thickness when performing the bridge exercise combined with ADIM compared to rest mode (p < .05). RA thickness decreased when the ADIM was performed, compared to rest (p < 0.05). No significant difference in TrA and RA thickness when exercising with and without external resistance was observed (p > 0.05). The main outcome of this study was that external loading provided some extra level of difficulty, yet it was not beneficial for abdominal muscle recruitment, when performing a supine bridge exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]