The impact of a 10-week Nordic hamstring exercise programme on hamstring muscle stiffness, a randomised controlled...

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Exercise Physiology
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) are prevalent in athletes.
• The Nordic Hamstring exercise (NHE) is effective for HSI prevention.
• The underlying mechanisms of NHE's preventive effects remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of a 10-week NHE program on hamstring eccentric strength and muscle stiffness.
• To explore potential changes in shear wave velocity as a proxy for hamstring stiffness.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 36 soccer players.
• Experimental group performed a 10-week NHE program alongside regular training.
• Measurements included hamstring eccentric strength and shear wave velocity (stiffness) pre- and post-intervention.

Main Results:

• The NHE group showed a significant increase in eccentric strength.
• No significant changes in hamstring muscle stiffness (shear wave velocity) were observed in the NHE group.
• The control group did not exhibit significant changes in strength or stiffness.

Conclusions:

• A 10-week NHE program enhances hamstring eccentric strength.
• NHE does not appear to alter hamstring muscle stiffness.
• The preventive effects of NHE may not be mediated by changes in muscle stiffness.