Background Soccer-specific fatigue decreases eccentric peak torque and the functional peak hamstring to quadriceps torque ratio (fH_ecc:Q_con), changes thought to increase the risk of hamstring strain (HS). Inadequate eccentric muscle strength specifically at long length may also be a risk factor for HS. The effect of simulated soccer on the hamstring eccentric torque-angle profile, or the hamstring:quad torque ratio at specific joint angles has not been reported.

Objective To determine the effect of a simulated soccer on angle-specific eccentric hamstring torque and angle-specific.H_ecc:Q_con (AS.H_ecc:Q_con) across the range of motion.

Design Acute intervention.

Setting Semi-professional soccer.

Participants 9 male players.

Risk factor assessment Isokinetic concentric and eccentric knee flexion and concentric knee extension was evaluated in the dominant limb at 120°·s⁻¹ pre and post the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST).

Main outcome measurements Changes in eccentric hamstrings torque, concentric quadriceps torque and hamstring:quadriceps torque ratios at 9 joint angles (AS.H_ecc:Q_con), angle of peak torque (APT), and fH_ecc:Q_con.

Results The LIST resulted in significant decreases in eccentric hamstring torque at 60˚, 50˚ and 10˚ and a significant (21.8%) decrease in AS.H_ecc:Q_con at 10˚ (P<.05). Eccentric hamstring APT increased significantly (P<.05) from 7.1˚to 18.8˚.

Conclusions Simulated soccer produces angle-specific changes in hamstring eccentric torque and in AS.H_ecc:Q_con and a shift in the eccentric hamstring APT. Our findings suggest that a prevention programs should both increase fatigue resistance in the hamstrings and include exercises that specifically develop long-length eccentric hamstring strength. Further research is also needed to determine if the evaluation of angle-specific.H_ecc:Q_con improves the predictive power of injury risk screening over assessment of the peak torque fH_ecc:Q_con alone.