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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04744194

The Effect of 6 Week Hamstring Exercise Programs on Hamstring Muscle Strength

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Hamstring Injury

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Dublin City University

Dublin, Dublin 9, Ireland

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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.

Treatment and study plan

Nordic hamstring exercise program

Other

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.

Assisted nordic hamstring exercise program

Other

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. Eccentric hamstring strength

    Time frame: 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.

  2. Eccentric hamstring moment

    Time frame: 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

  3. Hamstring strength endurance

    Time frame: 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 outcomes

  1. Muscle soreness ratings following exercise

    Time frame: 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.

  2. between limb asymmetries in hamstring strength, moment and endurance.

    Time frame: Change from baseline after 6 weeks

    percentage between limb asymmetries will be calculated

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Dublin City University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of a 6 Week Nordic Hamstring Exercise and an Assisted Nordic Hamstring Program on Hamstring Muscle Strength

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Feb 8, 2021
Registry last updated
Feb 10, 2023

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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