Predictive Models of Hamstring Performance in Adolescent Athletes

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

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