The Effect of 6 Week Hamstring Exercise Programs on Hamstring Muscle Function and Performance in Female Athletes
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- Dublin City University
- Enrollment
- 47
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- eccentric hamstring strength
Study Overview
Brief Summary
This study aims to compare the effect of two hamstring strengthening programs on hamstring muscle strength in female university athletes. 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.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Prevention
- Masking
- Double (Participant, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 35 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- Female
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •university athlete competing in team sports at least three times per week
- •free from hamstring injury in previous 6 months
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
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
eccentric hamstring strength
Time Frame: Change from baseline 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
Time Frame: Change from baseline 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
isometric hamstring strength and moment
Time Frame: Change from baseline 6 weeks
Isometric knee flexor strength will be assessed by placing the participant in prone with the hip in 0° extension and 30° in knee flexion. The investigator will hold the dynamometer 5cm above the lateral malleolus in the posterior midline. The participant will be asked to bend their knee by attempting to pull their heel towards their bottom
isometric hip extensor strength and moment
Time Frame: Change from baseline 6 weeks
Hip extensor strength will be assessed by placing the participant in a prone position with their tested leg in 0° hip extension and 90° knee flexion. The handheld dynomometer will be held by the investigator against the heel of the participant. The participant will be instructed to raise their leg upwards against the resistance of the investigator. This will be repeated with the hip placed in 30 degrees flexion
Secondary Outcomes
- Sprint performance(Change from baseline 6 weeks)
- Muscle soreness following exercise(Following each session)
Investigators
Enda Whyte
Assistant professor
Dublin City University