Comparison of Hamstrings and Quadriceps Muscle Activation in Male and Female Professional Soccer Players
(1) Background: this study aimed to determine if there are differences in quadriceps and hamstring muscle activation in professional male and female soccer players. (2) Methods: muscle activation was recorded by surface electromyography in 27 professional soccer players (19 male and 8 female). The p...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/2/738 |
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| author | Gonzalo Torres Estrella Armada-Cortés Javier Rueda Alejandro F. San Juan Enrique Navarro |
| author_facet | Gonzalo Torres Estrella Armada-Cortés Javier Rueda Alejandro F. San Juan Enrique Navarro |
| author_sort | Gonzalo Torres |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | (1) Background: this study aimed to determine if there are differences in quadriceps and hamstring muscle activation in professional male and female soccer players. (2) Methods: muscle activation was recorded by surface electromyography in 27 professional soccer players (19 male and 8 female). The players performed the Bulgarian squat and lunge exercises. Vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris were the muscles analyzed. (3) Results: The statistical analysis of the hamstring:quadriceps ratio showed no significant differences (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Significant differences were found in the vastus medialis:vastus lateralis ratio for both the lunge exercise (t<sub>20</sub> = 3.35; <i>p</i> = 0.001; d = 1.42) and the Bulgarian squat (t<sub>23</sub> = 4.15; <i>p</i> < 0.001; d = 1.76). For the intragroup muscular pattern in the lunge and Bulgarian squat exercises, the female players showed higher activation for the vastus lateralis muscle (<i>p</i> < 0.001) than the male players and lower muscle activation in the vastus medialis. No significant differences were found in the rectus femoris, biceps remoris, and semitendinosus muscles (<i>p</i> > 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Differences were found in the medial ratio (vastus medialis: vastus lateralis). Moreover, regarding the intramuscular pattern, very consistent patterns have been found. In the quadriceps muscle: VM>VL>RF; in the hamstring muscle: ST>BF. These patterns could be very useful in the recovery process from an injury to return players to their highest performance. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T04:52:17Z |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T04:52:17Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-bdd52f6bd6414a9bb70fe8f07b03fbcc2023-12-03T13:10:11ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172021-01-0111273810.3390/app11020738Comparison of Hamstrings and Quadriceps Muscle Activation in Male and Female Professional Soccer PlayersGonzalo Torres0Estrella Armada-Cortés1Javier Rueda2Alejandro F. San Juan3Enrique Navarro4Health and Human Performance Department, Sport Biomechanics Laboratory, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences-INEF, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, SpainHealth and Human Performance Department, Sport Biomechanics Laboratory, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences-INEF, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, SpainHealth and Human Performance Department, Sport Biomechanics Laboratory, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences-INEF, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, SpainHealth and Human Performance Department, Sport Biomechanics Laboratory, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences-INEF, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, SpainHealth and Human Performance Department, Sport Biomechanics Laboratory, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences-INEF, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain(1) Background: this study aimed to determine if there are differences in quadriceps and hamstring muscle activation in professional male and female soccer players. (2) Methods: muscle activation was recorded by surface electromyography in 27 professional soccer players (19 male and 8 female). The players performed the Bulgarian squat and lunge exercises. Vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris were the muscles analyzed. (3) Results: The statistical analysis of the hamstring:quadriceps ratio showed no significant differences (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Significant differences were found in the vastus medialis:vastus lateralis ratio for both the lunge exercise (t<sub>20</sub> = 3.35; <i>p</i> = 0.001; d = 1.42) and the Bulgarian squat (t<sub>23</sub> = 4.15; <i>p</i> < 0.001; d = 1.76). For the intragroup muscular pattern in the lunge and Bulgarian squat exercises, the female players showed higher activation for the vastus lateralis muscle (<i>p</i> < 0.001) than the male players and lower muscle activation in the vastus medialis. No significant differences were found in the rectus femoris, biceps remoris, and semitendinosus muscles (<i>p</i> > 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Differences were found in the medial ratio (vastus medialis: vastus lateralis). Moreover, regarding the intramuscular pattern, very consistent patterns have been found. In the quadriceps muscle: VM>VL>RF; in the hamstring muscle: ST>BF. These patterns could be very useful in the recovery process from an injury to return players to their highest performance.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/2/738electromyographyratiopreventioninjury |
| spellingShingle | Gonzalo Torres Estrella Armada-Cortés Javier Rueda Alejandro F. San Juan Enrique Navarro Comparison of Hamstrings and Quadriceps Muscle Activation in Male and Female Professional Soccer Players Applied Sciences electromyography ratio prevention injury |
| title | Comparison of Hamstrings and Quadriceps Muscle Activation in Male and Female Professional Soccer Players |
| title_full | Comparison of Hamstrings and Quadriceps Muscle Activation in Male and Female Professional Soccer Players |
| title_fullStr | Comparison of Hamstrings and Quadriceps Muscle Activation in Male and Female Professional Soccer Players |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparison of Hamstrings and Quadriceps Muscle Activation in Male and Female Professional Soccer Players |
| title_short | Comparison of Hamstrings and Quadriceps Muscle Activation in Male and Female Professional Soccer Players |
| title_sort | comparison of hamstrings and quadriceps muscle activation in male and female professional soccer players |
| topic | electromyography ratio prevention injury |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/2/738 |
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