Effectiveness of a Preventive Training Program in Reducing the Incidence Rate of Hamstring Injuries Among Football Players

Abstract

Hamstring injuries are among the most common muscle injuries in football, representing a significant proportion of injuries that hinder player participation and affect their technical performance. The research problem lies in the fact that hamstring injuries frequently recur among football players, causing a decline in performance, absence from training sessions and matches, in addition to a high likelihood of relapse during the season.

This study aims to design a preventive training program specifically for the hamstring muscles and to investigate the program's effect in reducing the incidence rate of hamstring injuries among football players. It also seeks to measure changes in muscle strength and flexibility before and after implementing the program, and to assess the extent to which the program reduces injury recurrence during the follow-up period.

The researcher hypothesizes that there will be statistically significant differences between pre- and post-measurements favoring the post-measurement in hamstring muscle strength, and statistically significant differences in hamstring flexibility favoring the post-measurement after applying the program. Furthermore, the preventive program is expected to lead to a noticeable decrease in the rate of hamstring injuries among football players. Recording previous injuries during the last two months, the researcher then implemented the preventive training program for the hamstring muscles on the main sample, which consisted of 10 players from Al-Madhtiya Club. The program lasted 8 weeks, with 3 sessions per week. Afterward, post-intervention measurements were conducted on the primary sample by performing the same tests as in the pre-intervention phase, and the results were compared to determine the program’s effectiveness.

The researcher concluded that the preventive training program proved highly effective in reducing the incidence rate of hamstring injuries among the football players of Al-Madhtiya Club. The researcher recommends the inclusion of preventive training programs within the weekly training units for football teams.