Erasmus+
“This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein”
Quadriceps Strain injury – Prevention Strategies
Upon completion of this module the reader will be able to:
- Understand basic anatomy of the knee joint complex.
- Understand quadricep injury epidemiology in soccer
- Understand the mechanisms for quadricep injury in soccer
- Determine common risk factors that can lead to quadricep injury pain.
- Incorporate exercises to prevent quadricep injury
Review the «Anatomy and Function of the knee joint complex» topic and the «Injury prevention strategies» topic first. Read the description of “Τhe quadricep injuries in soccer – Prevention strategies” and the corresponding presentation and then follow the proposed videos for some ideas of “Quadricep injury prevention exercises”. End the session with the “Bibliography and the additional learning materials” and assess your understanding with the “Quadricep injuries in soccer” quiz.
The quadriceps muscle consists of the rectus femoris and vastus medialis, lateralis, and intermedius and they are knee extensors while the rectus femoris also acts as hip flexor.
Τhe proposed preventive strategies for knee injuries include four phases and they propose specific preventive exercises :
Phase I : Muscular conditioning to restore dysfunctional movement patterns that can impede performance
1a. Inhibition: Inhibit through foam rolling the over-activate muscles: gastrocnemius & soleus, adductors, Tensor fasciae latae & Iliotibial band, and the short head of the biceps femoris.
1b.Muscle lengthen: Specific lengthening exercises with static or neuromuscular stretches for gastrocnemius & soleus, adductors, Tensor fasciae latae & IT-band, and the short head of the biceps femoris
Phase II: Muscular performance: Modifying strength and conditioning movements
Specific activation exercises through strengthening exercises or positional stabilization exercises for the anterior and posterior tibialis, gluteus medius, and gluteus maximus. Core strength.
Phase III: Functional exercise: Building efficient movement patterns
Starting with proper athletic position, always warm up before playing, perform different Squats and Walking Lunges. Do balance, agility-changing direction and jumping and landing exercises.
Quadriceps Strain injury – Prevention Strategies
Injury epidemiology
Quadriceps muscle strains are frequent in soccer due to high demands placed on this muscle group during repetitive efforts in a game. There is the belief that quadriceps strain are less frequent than hamstrings, but evidence indicates the rectus femoris strains represent as much as 29% of total recorded injuries and they are much more frequent than biceps femoris muscle injuries in the pre-season of professional league clubs.
Mechanisms of injury
The quadriceps muscle consists of the rectus femoris and vastus medialis, lateralis, and intermedius and they are knee extensors while the rectus femoris also acts as hip flexor. Most injuries of the quadriceps are non-contact, meaning that they occur while a player performs soccer actions, such as sprints and jumps. Jumping activities can increase the risk for quadricep strains because these muscles must perform to counter first, hip-extension moments that occur during upward propulsion, and second, knee-flexion moments during the absorption phases of jump landings. Sprinting also requires the quadriceps to perform significant eccentric work, making them vulnerable to injury. The risk increases when players suddenly increase or decrease their running speed and then they kick the ball.
Quadriceps Strain injury – Ιnjuries prevention exercises based on previous phases:
Phase I : Muscular conditioning to restore dysfunctional movement patterns that can impede performance
Phase ΙI : Muscular performance – Modifying strength and conditioning movements patterns
Phase III:Functional exercise – Building efficient movement patterns
Bibliography and the additional learning materials
- Maintain quadriceps flexibility in the pre-season and warm-down period
- Strengthen your quadriceps, especially in the pre-season period
- Practice plyometric exercises
- When you feel your quadriceps stiff, consult the medical staff
- Hasselman CT, Best TM, Hughes C 4th, et al. An explanation for various rectus femoris strain injuries using previously undescribed muscle architecture. Am J Sports Med. 1995;23:493-499.
- Walsh M, Boling MC, McGrath M, Blackburn JT, Padua DA. Lower extremity muscle activation and knee flexion during a jump-landing task. J Athl Train. 2012; 47 4: 406– 413
- Kary JM. Diagnosis and management of quadriceps strains and contusions. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2010; 3 1−4: 26– 31
- Kerr ZY, Dompier TP, Snook EM, et al. National Collegiate Athletic Association injury surveillance system: review of methods for 2004−2005 through 2013−2014 data collection. J Athl Train. 2014; 49 4: 552– 560
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Erasmus+
“This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.”
