The effect of short hamstrġng muscle on running speed in professional football players

In this study, it was aimed to investigate whether hamstring muscle shortness has an effect on running speed in professional football players. This study, which was carried out with the observational, cross-sectional method, was carried out in Mersin Mezitli Gymnastics Club Infrastructure Team between November 2019 and June 2021. 25 licensed football players in the age group of 9-18 were included in the study. In order to carry out the study, the necessary permission and approval were obtained from the Ethics Committee of Non-Interventional Clinical Researches of Haliç University (30.12.2019, GO 13/273-21). Pre-study application and evaluation methods were explained in detail to all individuals participating in the study. Since the football players included in the study were in the 9-18 age group, parental consent forms were obtained from their families. Personal information form prepared by us was filled in for the players. In our study; The most common reference values used in gonyomrtric measurements were evaluated on Kendall McCreary measurements. The hamstring shortness measurement of the football players was determined by the passive straight leg lifting method, and the angle of motion of the joint for the right and left legs was determined with a gonyometri, and the shortness value was recorded in degrees. In addition, Sit and Reach Flexibility Test and 100 m Sprint Test were applied. SPSS 24 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences-IBM®) statistical software program was used in the analysis of the data obtained. Significance was evaluated in the 95% confidence interval, and a p value of <0.05 was accepted as significant. In the study, a relationship was determined between hamstring muscle shortness and running speed in professional football players. Included in the study; While the results of the sit-and-reach test of the football players were 2.48±4.68 (min:-11 max:+11) on average, the mean degree of shortness was 41.48±15.08 (min:15 max:75). The degree of shortness, correlation coefficients (r) between the running test between their height and their age, their weight BMI, the year they started football, the running test (r:-0.456, p<0.05), and the weights and ages of the football players. A significant moderate negative correlation was found between BMI, year of football start, running test (r:-0.439, p<0.05). A significant moderate negative correlation was found between the years of starting football and their age, height, weight, number of training sessions per week, running test (r:-0.512, p<0.01). As a result of our study, it has been determined that the hamstring muscle shortening has an effect on running speed in professional football players. It can be said that as the shortening of the hamstring muscle increases, the running speed decreases, and as the shortness of the hamstring muscle decreases, the running speed increases.