Askling C, Karlsson J, Thorstensson A. Hamstring injury occurrence in elite soccer players after preseason strength training with eccentric overload. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2003 Aug;13(4):244-50.
Another study focusing on elite soccer players with a preseason eccentric overload strength program for the hamstring muscle group.
30 players from two premier-league division teams in Sweden were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 added a preseason eccentric overload strength program 1-2 times a week for 10 weeks while group 2 did not do eccentric overload exercises.
All hamstring injuries were registered during 10 months. The eccentric overload training group 1 hat 3 hamstring injuries within 10 months, while the group 2 with traditional training had 10 hamstring injuries (+333%). It is truly astonishing that eccentric overload plays such a vital role in preseason training for hamstring injury prevention.
The results showed that the occurrence of hamstring strain injuries was clearly lower in the training group (3/15) than in the control group (10/15). In addition, there were significant increases in strength and speed in the training group.
Eccentric overload training proves again its capabilities for injury prevention and sprint speed increases at already trained professional athletes.