The Acute Effect of Match-Play on Hip Isometric Strength and Flexibility in Female Field Hockey Players

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the acute effect of simulated field hockey match-play on isometric knee flexion, adductor (ADD) and abductor (ABD) strength, adductor/abductor (ADD/ABD) strength ratio, countermovement jump height (CMJ), hip flexion and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM). Thirty competitive female field hockey players (23.0 ± 3.9 years old) participated in the study. Apart from the afore-mentioned variables, external (through GPS) and internal load (through RPE) were measured before (pre-match) and immediately after simulated hockey match-play (post-match) in both limbs. Isometric knee flexion strength (+7.0%, p = 0.047) and hip flexion ROM (+4.4%, p = 0.022) were higher post-match in the non-dominant limb, while CMJ values reduced (−11.33%, p = 0.008) when comparing from pre-match data. In addition, no differences were observed for isometric hip ADD, ABD, ADD/ABD strength ratio, passive hip flexion ROM and ankle dorsiflexion ROM test. A simulated field-hockey match produces an increment in hip isometric strength and hip flexion ROM values in the non-dominant limb and a decrease in jump height capacity. As a result, CMJ assessment should be considered post-match in order to identify players who would require further rest before returning to training.