A Comparison of Hip Extension and Nordic Hamstring Exercise Programmes on Isokinetic Hamstring Strength

Dublin City University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Hamstring Injury

Treatments: Other: Nordic hamstring exercise; Other: Hip extension exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03697473

2016_007_EW

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aimed to compare the effect of two hamstring strengthening programmes on hamstring muscle strength in Gaelic footballers. 26 Gaelic footballers were recruited and randomly assigned to one of two 4-week hamstring strengthening programmes, namely the hip extension exercise programme and the Nordic hamstring exercise protocol. Isokinetic hamstring and quadriceps strength were measured before and after the intervention.

Full description

Recruitment:

Participants were recruited from the local university sports clubs. Club chairpersons were asked to send an email to club players. Players interested in participating in the study expressed an interest by replying to the email. Potential participants were asked to attend a meeting where they had the study explained to them. Those who were interested were then assessed for inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Group allocation:

A four block randomisation method was used to allocate participants to the Nordic hamstring exercise protocol or the hip extension exercise protocol.

Interventions:

The Nordic hamstring exercise protocol or the hip extension exercise protocol

Testing procedure:

The isokinetic strength of the participants' hamstrings and quadriceps were recorded before and after the exercise intervention.

A 10 point visual analogue scale was used to record the level of muscle soreness experienced after each training session.

Enrollment: 26 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 18 to 35 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• male
• free from hamstring injury in the 6 months prior to the study
• currently playing Gaelic football at a varsity level on 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.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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26 participants in 2 patient groups

Nordic Hamstring Exercise Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants were required to kneel on a gym mat keeping their hips in a slightly flexed position and to slowly lower themselves in a controlled manner as far as they could towards the ground. When they could no longer lower themselves as such, they were instructed to utilise their arms to buffer the fall and touch their chest off the ground, while maintaining tension in their hamstrings. Once their chest touched the ground they were instructed to immediately return to the starting position by pushing up with their hands.

Treatment:

Other: Nordic hamstring exercise

Hip Extension Exercise Group

Experimental group

Description:

The participant lay on an exercise bench at a 45° angle with their hips held just over the top of the bench, their trunk erect and hips extended and their heel supported. Participants slowly flexed their hip until they reached 90° from the starting position and were then required to return to the starting position by extending through the hip while maintaining a neutral pelvic and trunk posture throughout. This exercise was then repeated on the opposite leg

Treatment:

Other: Hip extension exercise