The preventive effect of the L-protocol exercise on hamstring strain injuries in Saudi male professional football players: study protocol for a prospective randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Abstract Background: Hamstring strain injuries are the most common muscle injury in football. Eccentric strengths are recognized as important modifiable risk factors. the importance of eccentric training in increasing the muscle strength’s such as the Nordic hamstring exercise has been confirmed. However, although it has eccentric contributions, L-protocol advocated as a rehabilitation exercise. This study aimed to examine the preventive effect of L-protocol on the incidence of hamstring injuries in Saudi male professional football players. Participants: Sixty Saudi male professional football players, aged 18 to 38 years. Study design: prospective randomized controlled trial. Methods: Were allocated to L-protocol exercise or Nordic hamstring exercise randomly. The interventions take place immediately after normal training and before cooling down 3 times per week for 6 weeks during preseason preparations and continued with the exercises 1 time per week for the rest of the season. Outcomes are the incidence of hamstring strain injuries. Compliance to the implantation was also monitored. Results: L-protocol exercise has a preventive effect on hamstring strain injuries. Conclusion: Both interventions have a preventive effect, but it is higher in Nordic hamstring exercise.