A Cross-Sectional Observation on Maximal Eccentric Hamstring Strength in 7- to 15-Year-Old Competitive Alpine Skiers
Severe knee injuries are common in alpine skiing and the hamstring muscles are known to counteract the anterior tibial displacement that typically accompanies major injury mechanisms. This study aimed to assess the Maximal Eccentric Hamstring Strength (MEHS) of youth competitive alpine skiers during...
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MDPI AG
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Biology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/10/11/1128 |
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| author | Kirsten Kiers Lynn Ellenberger Marie Javet Björn Bruhin Walter O. Frey Jörg Spörri |
| author_facet | Kirsten Kiers Lynn Ellenberger Marie Javet Björn Bruhin Walter O. Frey Jörg Spörri |
| author_sort | Kirsten Kiers |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Severe knee injuries are common in alpine skiing and the hamstring muscles are known to counteract the anterior tibial displacement that typically accompanies major injury mechanisms. This study aimed to assess the Maximal Eccentric Hamstring Strength (MEHS) of youth competitive alpine skiers during Nordic Hamstring Exercise (NHE) in terms of dependence of sex, age and biological maturation. A total of 246 7- to 15-year-old skiers were tested with respect to their MEHS using an NHE-based measurement device (Vald Performance, Newstead, Australia). Significantly greater absolute MEHS was observed in skiers of the under 15 years (U15) category compared to skiers under 10 years old (U10) (227.9 ± 61.1 N vs. 142.6 ± 28.9 N; <i>p</i> < 0.001), also when grouped by sex. Absolute MEHS was revealed to be lower in U15 females compared to males (213.5 ± 49.0 N vs. 241.9 ± 68.4 N; <i>p</i> = 0.001); in U10 skiers there was no sex difference. For all age groups and sexes, absolute MEHS values were significantly correlated with age and biological maturation (<i>p</i> < 0.001). However, when normalized to body weight such associations disappeared, which is why this is strongly recommended when testing around their growth spurt. Overall, this study established sport-specific normative reference data that may be of interest to researchers and sport practitioners alike. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:41:51Z |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-7737 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:41:51Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
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| record_format | Article |
| series | Biology |
| spelling | doaj.art-04798aa3bce34612914e55552ca307672023-11-22T22:27:44ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372021-11-011011112810.3390/biology10111128A Cross-Sectional Observation on Maximal Eccentric Hamstring Strength in 7- to 15-Year-Old Competitive Alpine SkiersKirsten Kiers0Lynn Ellenberger1Marie Javet2Björn Bruhin3Walter O. Frey4Jörg Spörri5Sports Medical Research Group, Department of Orthopaedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, 8008 Zurich, SwitzerlandSports Medical Research Group, Department of Orthopaedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, 8008 Zurich, SwitzerlandSection for Elite Sport, Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen, 2532 Magglingen, SwitzerlandSwiss-Ski, 3074 Muri bei Bern, SwitzerlandSports Medical Research Group, Department of Orthopaedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, 8008 Zurich, SwitzerlandSports Medical Research Group, Department of Orthopaedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, 8008 Zurich, SwitzerlandSevere knee injuries are common in alpine skiing and the hamstring muscles are known to counteract the anterior tibial displacement that typically accompanies major injury mechanisms. This study aimed to assess the Maximal Eccentric Hamstring Strength (MEHS) of youth competitive alpine skiers during Nordic Hamstring Exercise (NHE) in terms of dependence of sex, age and biological maturation. A total of 246 7- to 15-year-old skiers were tested with respect to their MEHS using an NHE-based measurement device (Vald Performance, Newstead, Australia). Significantly greater absolute MEHS was observed in skiers of the under 15 years (U15) category compared to skiers under 10 years old (U10) (227.9 ± 61.1 N vs. 142.6 ± 28.9 N; <i>p</i> < 0.001), also when grouped by sex. Absolute MEHS was revealed to be lower in U15 females compared to males (213.5 ± 49.0 N vs. 241.9 ± 68.4 N; <i>p</i> = 0.001); in U10 skiers there was no sex difference. For all age groups and sexes, absolute MEHS values were significantly correlated with age and biological maturation (<i>p</i> < 0.001). However, when normalized to body weight such associations disappeared, which is why this is strongly recommended when testing around their growth spurt. Overall, this study established sport-specific normative reference data that may be of interest to researchers and sport practitioners alike.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/10/11/1128skiingathletesbiological maturity statusconditioninginjury preventionneuromuscular performance |
| spellingShingle | Kirsten Kiers Lynn Ellenberger Marie Javet Björn Bruhin Walter O. Frey Jörg Spörri A Cross-Sectional Observation on Maximal Eccentric Hamstring Strength in 7- to 15-Year-Old Competitive Alpine Skiers Biology skiing athletes biological maturity status conditioning injury prevention neuromuscular performance |
| title | A Cross-Sectional Observation on Maximal Eccentric Hamstring Strength in 7- to 15-Year-Old Competitive Alpine Skiers |
| title_full | A Cross-Sectional Observation on Maximal Eccentric Hamstring Strength in 7- to 15-Year-Old Competitive Alpine Skiers |
| title_fullStr | A Cross-Sectional Observation on Maximal Eccentric Hamstring Strength in 7- to 15-Year-Old Competitive Alpine Skiers |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Cross-Sectional Observation on Maximal Eccentric Hamstring Strength in 7- to 15-Year-Old Competitive Alpine Skiers |
| title_short | A Cross-Sectional Observation on Maximal Eccentric Hamstring Strength in 7- to 15-Year-Old Competitive Alpine Skiers |
| title_sort | cross sectional observation on maximal eccentric hamstring strength in 7 to 15 year old competitive alpine skiers |
| topic | skiing athletes biological maturity status conditioning injury prevention neuromuscular performance |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/10/11/1128 |
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