Side to side differences in hamstring muscle kinematics during maximal instep soccer kicking

Abstract

Hamstring strains are a common non-contact injury in soccer. The current study investigates bilateral differences in hamstring kinematics during maximal instep kicking. Thirteen male soccer players performed maximal instep kicks with their dominant and non-dominant limbs. Muscle-tendon kinematics of the four hamstring muscles during the kick movement were quantified using OpenSim software. Differences between dominant and non-dominant limbs were examined using paired t-tests. The results revealed that the biceps femoris long head (dominant = 165.28. ± 62.46 & non-dominant = 137.65 ± 52.17%), semimembranosus (dominant = 220.75 ± 43.35 & non-dominant = 131.23 ± 36.74%) and semitendinosus (dominant = 90.95 ± 16.69% and non-dominant = 80.47 ± 15.99%) experienced significantly greater strain when using the dominant limb. The current investigation provides key information regarding the mechanics of the hamstring group during maximal instep kicking, indicating that kicking with the dominant limb may place soccer players at increased risk from hamstring strain injury.