Join us for an exclusive webinar on the **HRIG (Hamstring Assessment Device)**. The HRIG is a world leading hamstring assessment device. Two specific tests have been developed which simulate the mechanism of injury in sport. These tests include a bilateral and unilateral testing protocol have been specifically designed to assess hamstring function. This has involved over 7 years of research, developed through the Sports Injuries and Sports Medicine Clinic in Ireland, Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence, John Moores University, Liverpool and a team of sports engineers based at Sheffield Hallam University, United Kingdom.
This session will explore how the HRIG can support Pro Clubs, Teams, Elite Athletes and Players, its applications in clinical and performance settings, and how it can transform hamstring rehabilitation outcomes.
The device has been patented worldwide and developed through a number of research papers which have been published internationally.
What will be included:
– Introduction to the HRIG Technology: What makes this system unique?
– Key Applications: How the HRIG is used by Medical and Performance teams around USA, UK and Ireland for assessment, rehab, injury prevention, and performance enhancement.
– Clinical Benefits: Evidence-based insights on improving rehabilitation outcomes.
– Case Studies & Testimonials: How clinics and professionals are using the HRIG to elevate Player Welfare. – Q&A Session: Get your questions answered by an expert.
Who Should Attend?
– Physiotherapists & Rehabilitation Specialists
– Sports Scientists & Strength Coaches – MSK & Orthopaedic Clinicians
– Private Clinic Owners & Healthcare Providers
Why Attend?
– Stay ahead of the curve with innovative rehabilitation technology.
– Learn practical applications to integrate the HRIG into your practice.
– Gain insights from real-world case studies and expert perspectives.
Guest Speaker: Dr Martin McIntyre, Founder and CEO of The HRIG
Martin Mc Intyre has gained experience of working in high performance sport, leading and promoting excellence to deliver world class environments within elite teams. Currently, he is the Managing Director of the Sports Injuries and Sports Medicine Clinic, Clinical Lead Mayo GAA Senior Football team, Sports Medicine Lead Mayo FA and Founder and CEO of the HRIG.
His education has entailed ;
· PhD – Hamstring Muscle Strength Assessment and the Association with Injury
Risk in Gaelic Football – John Moore’s University Liverpool in 2023
· M.Med.Sci – Sports Medicine, Sheffield Hallam University and University of
Sheffield in 2006
· MSc – Physiological Profiling of Gaelic footballers, Institute of Technology Tralee,
Co Kerry, Ireland in June 2003
· BSc (Hons) – Sports Science, John Moore’s University, Liverpool in 1997
· Higher Education Diploma – Science and Football, John Moore’s University,
Liverpool in 1996
As founder of a world leading hamstring assessment device, the HRIG is currently in situ and supports Premier League Football teams, English Championship sides, US Based College Football teams and MSL Teams. Having conducted a series of Player Welfare initiatives in Ireland through the Gaelic Athletic Association and the Gaelic Players Association, the HRIG is also installed at various Private Sports Medicine and Physiotherapy Clinics, Performance Centres and Universities throughout Ireland.
*As Hamstring injury is currently his main area of research, some highlights which you might find interesting in advance of the call include the following:
Hamstring strain injury (HSI) is fast becoming a literal pain in the “Posterior’ of both
medical and performance staff. It is the most common injury in field sports. The rate of
HSI in Gaelic football is 1.5-2.6 times higher than the rate of HSI sustained in professional
soccer (4.77 & 0.51 injuries per 1000h) (Ekstrand et al., 2016), rugby (5.6 & 0.27 injuries
per 1000h) (Brooks et al., 2006) and American football (2.7 & 0.47 injuries per 1000h)
(Elliott et al., 2011).
Running is the main mechanism and accounts for 48%-81% of all hamstring
injuries (Roe et al., 2018; Wilson et al., 2007; Askling et al., 2013). HSI injury generally occurs in
either late swing phase or early stance (Chumanov et al., 2011, Chumanov et al., 2012, Orchard et
al., 2012, Schache et al., 2010, Yu et al., 2008, Heiderscheit et al., 2005, Schache et al., 2009) as
this is where the greatest stress is placed on the hamstrings.
It is required to tolerate large forces between 10.5-26.4 N.Kg -1 (Kenneally-Dabrowski et al., 2019) . Emanating originally from the start of a PhD some 7 years ago at Liverpool John Moores University and with some further research and product development from a sports engineering team at Sheffield Hallam University has led to the development of the HRIG. This involves a test to examine the mechanism of HSI while it can also be used to rehab, prehab and strengthen players in late swing/early stance to protect them from injury.
The specificity of the test position places the participant in a upright posture and they hold onto a
vertical bar for support which is positioned 1m from the ground. The knee of the un-tested limb is
then placed on a bench in 20 0 of hip extension. The tested limb is then flexed to 30 0 at the knee.
The heel is placed in a load cell and the isometric force is measure at this point. Both force and
torque are recorded for all repetitions.
First of all moderate-high levels of intra and inter-rate reliability ensure measurements are highly
reliable and repeatable. The bilateral testing position on the HRIG device has showed high inter-
rater reliability ICC (CI 95%) of 0.86 (CI 0.74-0.92) with the typical error of 19N (14-27N). Unilateral
isometric testing showed high Interrater reliability ICC (CI 95%) of 0.92 (CI 0.85-0.96) with the
typical error of 23N (18-34N) (Mc Intyre, 2023)
Secondly the similarity of the test position to the mechanism of injury or the most venerable phase
of the gait cycle has indicated that these positions of testing better identifies those with residual
strength deficits following hamstring strain injury, compared to nordic fall eccentric strength
testing (Mc Intyre et al., 2022).
Furthermore they also identify deficits in players with previous HSI
and those who sustain future HSI during the playing season (Mc Intyre et al., 2024).
Thirdly, the device has been highly correlated with biceps femoris fascicle length this serves as
useful measure of protecting and dosing players in terms of reducing prospective and future injury.
Targeted isometric strength training has also been developed to strengthen players in the sprint
position. This can be achieved safely and progressively involving both pulling/pushing and quasi
isometric muscle function.
In Summary;
· Be specific – mimic the mechanism of injury when undertaking hamstring assessment to
maximise sensitivity.
· Ensure methodologies have a high intra and inter rate reliability.
· This method of assessment can help identify future risk of future hamstring injury.
· HRIG can be useful in protecting players for future HSI due to time spent under
tension/load in the venerable position, of late swing and early stance.
