Hamstring Injury
Conditions
Keywords
Eccentric hamstring strength, Nordic hamstring exercise
Brief summary
This study aims to compare the effect of two hamstring strengthening programs on hamstring muscle strength in university students. 60 participants will be recruited for this study. They will be randomly assigned to one of two 6-week hamstring strengthening programs, namely the single leg bridge exercise and the Nordic hamstring exercise protocol, and one control group. Eccentric and isometric hamstring strength, gluteal strength and will sprint speed will be measured before and after the intervention.
Detailed description
Participants will be recruited from the local university sports clubs. Club chairpersons will be asked to send an email to club players. Players interested in participating in the study will be asked to attend a meeting where the study will be explained to them. Those who were interested will then be assessed for inclusion and exclusion criteria. Group allocation: A four block randomization method will be used to allocate participants to the Nordic hamstring exercise protocol or the single leg bridge protocol. Interventions: The Nordic hamstring exercise program or the single leg bridge program. Testing procedure: The eccentric strength of the participants' hamstrings will be recorded before and after the exercise intervention. A 10 point visual analogue scale will be used to record the level of muscle soreness experienced after each training session.
Interventions
Week 1 - 1 session per week consisting of 2 sets of 5 reps of the exercise Week 2 - 2 sessions per week consisting of 2 sets of 6 reps of the exercise Week 3 - 3 sessions per week consisting of 3 sets of 6 reps of the exercise Week 4 - 3 sessions per week consisting of 3 sets of 8 reps of the exercise Weeks 5 and 6 - 3 sessions per week consisting of 3 sets of the exercise. Set 1 with 12 reps, set 2 with 10 reps and set 3 with 8 reps.
OTHERAssisted nordic hamstring exercise program
Week 1 - 1 session per week consisting of 2 sets of 5 reps of the exercise Week 2 - 2 sessions per week consisting of 2 sets of 6 reps of the exercise Week 3 - 3 sessions per week consisting of 3 sets of 6 reps of the exercise Week 4 - 3 sessions per week consisting of 3 sets of 8 reps of the exercise Weeks 5 and 6 - 3 sessions per week consisting of 3 sets of the exercise. Set 1 with 12 reps, set 2 with 10 reps and set 3 with 8 reps.
Sponsors
Dublin City University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* free from hamstring injury in the 6 months prior to the study * currently competing in team sports at least three occasions per week
Exclusion criteria
* history of a hip or knee injury in the 3 months prior to the study * a history of anterior cruciate ligament rupture * a history of involvement in a hamstring strengthening, injury prevention programme in the 3 months prior to the study.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Eccentric hamstring strength | Change from baseline after 6 weeks | This will be measured using devices that measure the eccentric strength of the hamstrings during the Nordic hamstring exercise. The devices are called the Hamstring Solo device and the Nordbord device. Participants will kneel on the padded surface of the device with their lower limbs held in position just above the ankles. The ankle supports have load sensitive cells. The participants will be asked to complete the nordic hamstring exercise. This involves them folding their arms across their chest and slowly lowering themselves towards the ground by allowing their knees to slowly straighten. The load cells will record the force (newtons) during the exercise for each leg. |
| Eccentric hamstring moment | Change from baseline after 6 weeks | This will be measured using devices that measure the eccentric strength of the hamstrings during the Nordic hamstring exercise. The devices are called the Hamstring Solo device and the Nordbord device. Participants will kneel on the padded surface of the device with their lower limbs held in position just above the ankles. The ankle supports have load sensitive cells. The participants will be asked to complete the nordic hamstring exercise. This involves them folding their arms across their chest and slowly lowering themselves towards the ground by allowing their knees to slowly straighten. The load cells will record the force (newtons) during the exercise for each leg. The distance from the load cells to the knee joint will be measured (meters) to calculate the moment in Newton meters for the exercise |
| Hamstring strength endurance | Change from baseline after 6 weeks | This will be measured by assessing the number of repetitions of the single leg bridge exercise to failure |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle soreness ratings following exercise | immediately following each session | Participants will use a ten point numerical rating scale to record the level of muscle soreness after training sessions. The scale will range from 0 to 10 where 0 is no pain and 10 is the most severe pain imaginable. |
| between limb asymmetries in hamstring strength, moment and endurance. | Change from baseline after 6 weeks | percentage between limb asymmetries will be calculated |
Countries
Ireland
Outcome results
None listed