The relationship between hamstring strength tests and sprint performance in female Gaelic footballers: A correlation and linear regression analysis

Abstract

Objectives To investigate the relationships between handheld dynamometer (HHD), isokinetic and Nordic hamstrings exercise (NHE) measurements of knee flexor strength and their association with sprinting performance. Design Cross-sectional Methods The relationships between HHD (prone isometric, prone break and supine break knee flexor strength tests), isokinetic and NHE peak knee flexor strength measures were examined using Pearson product correlations on 38 female footballers. A linear regression analysis was also performed for each pair of dependent variables (10 and 30 metre sprint times) and independent predictor variables (average relative peak torque for HHD, isokinetic and NHE testing). Results There were good correlations between HHD tests (r = 0.81–0.90, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.65–0.82), moderate correlations between HHD and isokinetic peak torque, (r = 0.61–0.67, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.37–0.44) and poor association between the HHD peak torques and isokinetic work (r = 0.44–0.46, p = 0.005–0.007, R2 = 0.20–0.21) and average power (r = 0.39–0.45, n = 36, p = 0.006–0.019, R2 = 0.15–0.22). There was a poor association between NHE peak torque and isokinetic total work (r = 0.34, p = 0.04, R2 = 0.12). No associations between knee flexor strength and sprint times were observed (p = 0.12–0.79, r2 = 0.002–0.086). Conclusions Moderate to good correlations within HHD testing and poor to moderate correlations between HHD and isokinetic testing were observed. HHD knee flexor torque assessment may be useful to regularly chart the progress of hamstring rehabilitation for female footballers. Knee flexor strength assessments were not associated with sprint times in female footballers. Other aspects of knee flexor strength and sprint performance should be investigated to assist clinicians in making return to running and sprinting decisions in this population.