Efectos de un programa de ejercicios excéntricos para la disminución del riesgo de lesiones isquiosurales en futbolistas juveniles

Introduction: Soccer is one of the most widely practiced sports; however, it is also a discipline associated with a high incidence of muscular injuries, with the hamstring musculature being one of the most frequently affected. These injuries are linked to high recurrence rates, leading to missed training sessions and competitions, which negatively impacts the performance of young soccer players. Objective: Analyzing the effects of an eccentric exercise program on reducing hamstring injury risk in youth soccer players Methodology: This research was part of a quasi-experimental pretest–posttest study design with two groups (experimental and control). The present paper reports only the results of the experimental group. Data collection included the V-Sit and Reach Test, the horizontal long jump test, and the 30-meter sprint test. The Wilcoxon test was used as the data analysis technique to determine the statistical significance of differences observed between pretest and posttest measurements. Results: Significant improvements were observed in flexibility (p = .025), jump power (p = .002), and sprint speed (p = .031). Discussion: The eight-week intervention program demonstrated statistically significant effects on flexibility, explosive power, and speed, in agreement with the scientific literature supporting the effectiveness of eccentric exercises in improving performance and preventing hamstring injuries. Conclusions: Based on the results obtained, eccentric training enhances physical capacities and athletic performance and may be considered an effective strategy for reducing the incidence of hamstring injuries in youth soccer players.