Preventive Training for Athletic Performance Enhancement

This time, we will focus on a crucial theme: preventive training, specifically aimed at strengthening the knee flexor and hip extensor muscles, such as the hamstrings. In team sports like rugby, soccer, and lacrosse, where sprints and explosive movements are common, injury prevention becomes an urgent necessity. Therefore, we will explore how speed and strength training can be key to reducing the risk of injuries and enhancing athletic performance.

Strategies for Injury Prevention and Performance Enhancement

Injury prevention in high-impact sports is an undeniable priority. At Wheeler Academy Sports Science, we delve into the world of adjunct training, exploring strategies to strengthen the knee flexor and hip extensor muscles, with a special focus on the hamstrings.

The key to mitigating the risk of injuries lies in a multidimensional approach that addresses both the physical and technical aspects of athletic performance. One of the fundamental pillars is speed training, which replicates the neuromuscular demands of competition. Through linear or zigzag sprint sessions, covering distances of over 50 or 60 meters, athletes can adapt their muscles to the specific demands of the game. Proper prescription of these sessions involves a work-to-rest ratio of at least 1:10, ensuring adequate recovery periods to maximize performance.

In a typical training session, two sets of 5 repetitions of 40 or 50 meters each can be programmed, with a recovery break of approximately 60 seconds between repetitions. After completing each set, it is recommended to take a longer break of around 3 minutes before repeating the same volume of work. This approach ensures respect for both the predominant energy system of the sprint, phosphagens, and the proper recruitment of explosive muscle fibers.

However, speed work is just one piece of the puzzle. To comprehensively strengthen the muscles involved in explosive movements, it is crucial to complement training with strength exercises. Deadlifts, leg presses, leg curls on a machine, squat jumps, and lunges are just some of the options that can be incorporated into the training routine. These exercises not only strengthen the hamstrings and hip extensors but also contribute to improving explosive power and stability.

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