Seamless Return to Sports
Conditions
Keywords
Hamstring Rehabilitation, Return to play, Amino Acids, Football
Brief summary
Hamstring injuries are among the most prevalent and troublesome injuries in athletes, particularly those engaged in sports that require high-speed movements such as sprinting, kicking, and rapid changes in direction. The hamstring muscles, which include the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus, are essential for powerful lower limb actions, and thus, any injury to these muscles can significantly impact an athlete's performance and recovery. These injuries often occur during eccentric muscle contractions, such as when the muscles lengthen rapidly under tension, as seen in running and sprinting. According to epidemiological studies, hamstring strains account for a substantial portion of sports-related injuries, with hamstring strains being the most commonly reported injury in disciplines such as football, soccer, rugby, and athletics. In professional football, for instance, hamstring injuries account for approximately 12% of all injuries and represent the most frequent muscle strain, underlining their significance in the context of athletic performance.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTBranched-Chain Amino Acid Supplement
Oral BCAA blend (leucine, isoleucine, valine), 10 g/day divided into two doses, pre- and post-training, for 6 weeks.
BEHAVIORALTherapeutic Exercise Program
6-week structured program including isometric, eccentric, plyometric, and sprint-specific exercises.
Sponsors
Universidad de Zaragoza
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SEQUENTIAL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
No minimum to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* • Male football players aged 18 to 35 years. * Active players from eight clubs in the Iraqi Football League. * MRI-confirmed partial hamstring muscle injury. * No participation in other ongoing rehabilitation programs.
Exclusion criteria
* • History of hamstring injury in the past six months. * Any other musculoskeletal injuries affecting lower limbs. * Contraindications for MRI scanning (e.g., metal implants, pacemakers). * Any existing neurological or metabolic conditions affecting muscle recovery.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Hamstring Muscle Strength | Baseline, Mid-Rehabilitation (Week 3), Post-Rehabilitation (Week 6) | Isometric knee flexion strength measured at 15° and 90° using the ForHealth Kit to assess change from baseline. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| MRI Findings | Baseline and Post-Rehabilitation (Week 6) | MRI assessment of muscle healing, including reduction in edema and tear resolution. |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Adherence to Rehabilitation | Throughout 6-week intervention period | Percentage of rehabilitation sessions attended by each participant, tracked via attendance logs. |
Outcome results
None listed