A COMPARISON OF THE ISOMETRIC FORCE FATIGUE-RECOVERY PROFILE IN TWO POSTERIOR CHAIN LOWER LIMB TESTS FOLLOWING SIMULATED FOOTBALL

BackgroundLower limb posterior chain isometric peak force (IPF) measured in the supine position was found to be sensitive to match induced fatigue in footballers (McCall et al. 2015). However, hamstrings fatigue following simulated football may be greatest close to full knee extension (Cohen et al. 2014), and the majority of hamstring strains occur in an extended position (Mendiguchia et al. 2012).ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of a simulated match on IPF in a novel test and a supine position test immediately post, and at +48 h, and +72 h post-match.DesignA within-subject, repeated-measures design was used to investigate the short-term effects of fatigue following a simulated football match-protocol –the BEASTmod904(Akubat et al. 2014).Participants17 semi-professional players (age 21.2±2.4 yrs, body mass 73.8±8.9 kg) competing in a Spanish Third-Division team volunteered to participate in the study, which was implemented after the end of their competitive season.InterventionsIPF was measured using a portable force platform immediately before (PRE) and after (POST) the BEASTmod90protocol, and at +48 h and +72 h post match. Two tests were used: (i) Standing with tested leg at 90° hip and 20° knee flexion (90:20); (ii) Supine with tested leg at 90° knee and hip flexion (S90).Main Outcome MeasurementsFatigue after a simulated football match-protocol. We hypothesized that the 90:20 would show greater levels of fatigue than the S90.ResultsIPF significantly declined PRE versus POST match in the 90:20 in both legs (p<0.001), and in the S90 in the non-dominant (p<0.001) and dominant leg (p<0.01). IPF was significantly lower at +48 h compared to PRE in the 90:20 in both legs (p<0.01, p≤0.05), but not in the S90. At +72 h, IPF was not significantly different from PRE in either test.ConclusionsThese findings suggest potential angle-specific differences in posterior chain fatigue following a simulated match, and that the 90:20 may be more sensitive to post competition residual posterior chain fatigue.