Predictive Models of Hamstring Performance in Adolescent Athletes

Year 2025, Volume: 30 Issue: 1, 27 - 35, 25.03.2025

Emre Altundağ , Çağlar Soylu

Abstract

This study investigated the relationships between hamstring strength, flexibility, core endurance, jumping performance, single-leg bridge endurance, and knee joint range of motion (ROM) across six sports disciplines, including football, swimming, volleyball, karate, wrestling, and athletics. A total of 249 athletes (144 men, 105 women) aged 10–18 years participated, with a mean BMI of 22,6 kg/m² and an average of 4.9 years of sports experience. Regression analyses revealed sport-specific predictors of performance and injury risk. Dominant hamstring strength and torque were strong predictors of explosive move-ments like squat jumps in football (R²=0.74, p<0.001) and volleyball (R²=0.71, p<0.001), while balanced ham-string strength was critical for core stabil-ity in swimming (R²=0.62, p<0.05). Non-dominant hamstring strength influenced squat jump performance in wrestling (R²=0.66, p<0.01), and hamstring torque was significantly associated with knee flexion ROM in athletics (R²=0.72, p<0.001). Inter-limb asymmetry exceed-ing 10% correlated with in-creased injury risk, highlighting the importance of sym-metry. The findings emphasize the need for tailored training protocols that ad-dress sport-specific demands, integrating strength, flexibility, and endurance.

Keywords

Hamstring strength, Sports performance, Injury prevention, Inter-limb asymmetry, Core endurance

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Kütahya Dumlupınar University with decision number 12.08.2024–388.

Supporting Institution

No financial support was received from institutions and/or institutions during the preparation and writing of this study.

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