A recent study evaluated whether a 10-week pre-season strength training programme emphasising eccentric overloading for the hamstring muscle group could affect the occurrence and severity of hamstring injuries during the subsequent competition season in elite male soccer players.

The study evaluated thirty players from two of the best premier-league division teams in Sweden. Results showed that the occurrence of hamstring strain injuries was clearly lower in the group that implemented hamstring-specific eccentric overload training. In addition, the same group showed significant increases in strength and speed.

These results indicate that the addition of specific preseason eccentric strength training would be beneficial both for injury prevention and performance enhancement.

Read the full study here.