@article{ref1,
title="Hamstring-and-lower-back flexibility in male amateur soccer players",
journal="Clinical journal of sport medicine",
year="2017",
author="van der Horst, Nick and Priesterbach, Annique and Backx, Frank and Smits, Dirk-Wouter",
volume="27",
number="1",
pages="20-25",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the hamstring-and-lower-back flexibility (HLBF) of male adult amateur soccer players, using the sit-and-reach test (SRT), with a view to obtaining population-based reference values and to determining whether SRT scores are associated with player characteristics. <br><br>DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort study. SETTING: Teams from high-level Dutch amateur soccer competitions were recruited for participation. PARTICIPANTS: Dutch male high-level amateur field soccer players (n = 449) of age 18 to 40 years. Players with a hamstring injury at the moment of SRT-measurement or any other injury that prevented them from following the SRT protocol were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sit-and-reach test scores were measured and then population-based reference values were calculated as follows: >2SD below mean (defining &quot;very low&quot; HLBF), 1SD-2SD below mean (&quot;low&quot; HLBF), 1SD below mean to 1SD above mean (&quot;normal&quot; HLBF), 1SD-2SD above mean (&quot;high&quot; HLBF), and >2SD above mean (&quot;very high&quot; HLBF). Whether SRT scores were correlated with player characteristics was determined using a Pearson correlation coefficient or Spearman rho. <br><br>RESULTS: Sit-and-reach test scores ranged from 0 to 43.5 cm (mean 22.0 cm, SD 9.2). The cutoff points for population-based reference values were <3.5 cm for &quot;very low&quot;, 3.5 to 13.0 cm for &quot;low&quot;, 13.0 to 31.0 cm for &quot;normal&quot;, 31.0 to 40.5 cm for &quot;high&quot;, and >40.5 cm for &quot;very high&quot;. Sit-and-reach test scores were significantly associated with players' height (ρ = -0.132, P = 0.005), body mass index (r = 0.114, P = 0.016), and history of anterior cruciate ligament surgery (P < 0.001). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to describe the HLBF of amateur soccer players. The SRT reference values with cutoff points may facilitate evidence-based decision making regarding HLBF, and the SRT might be a useful tool to assess injury risk, performance, or for diagnostic purposes.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1050-642X",
doi="10.1097/JSM.0000000000000294",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/JSM.0000000000000294"
}