NCT03697473

Brief Summary

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.

Trial Health

100
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
26

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jan 2017

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

January 5, 2017

Completed
4 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

April 30, 2017

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

April 30, 2017

Completed
1.4 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

September 27, 2018

Completed
8 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

October 5, 2018

Completed
Last Updated

October 5, 2018

Status Verified

October 1, 2018

Enrollment Period

4 months

First QC Date

September 27, 2018

Last Update Submit

October 4, 2018

Conditions

Hamstring Injury

Keywords

Hamstring strengthIsokineticsNordic hamstring exerciseEccentric strengthHip extension exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Peak isokinetic eccentric hamstring strength at 60°.s-1

    This was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer

    Change from baseline assessment at six weeks

Secondary Outcomes (3)

  • Functional hamstring-to-quadriceps ratio at 60°.s-1

    Change from baseline assessment at six weeks

  • Between limb, isokinetic eccentric hamstring strength asymmetries

    Change from baseline assessment at six weeks

  • Muscle soreness rating following exercise

    1 minute at the end of each intervention session

Study Arms (2)

Nordic Hamstring Exercise Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

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.

Other: Nordic hamstring exercise

Hip Extension Exercise Group

EXPERIMENTAL

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

Other: Hip extension exercise

Interventions

Nordic hamstring exerciseOTHER

The exercise protocol consisted of the following sets and repetitions Week 1 - 2 sessions with 2 sets of 6 repetitions. Week 2 - 2 sessions with 3 sets of 6 repetitions Week 3 - 2 sessions with 4 sets of 8 repetitions. Week 4 - 2 sessions with 4 sets of 10 repetitions.

Nordic Hamstring Exercise Group
Hip extension exerciseOTHER

The exercise protocol consisted of the following sets and repetitions Week 1 - 2 sessions with 2 sets of 6 repetitions. Week 2 - 2 sessions with 3 sets of 6 repetitions Week 3 - 2 sessions with 4 sets of 8 repetitions. Week 4 - 2 sessions with 4 sets of 10 repetitions.

Hip Extension Exercise Group

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 35 Years
Sexmale
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • 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

You may not qualify if:

  • 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.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Related Publications (8)

  • van der Horst N, Smits DW, Petersen J, Goedhart EA, Backx FJ. The preventive effect of the nordic hamstring exercise on hamstring injuries in amateur soccer players: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Sports Med. 2015 Jun;43(6):1316-23. doi: 10.1177/0363546515574057. Epub 2015 Mar 20.

    PMID: 25794868BACKGROUND

  • Bourne MN, Timmins RG, Opar DA, Pizzari T, Ruddy JD, Sims C, Williams MD, Shield AJ. An Evidence-Based Framework for Strengthening Exercises to Prevent Hamstring Injury. Sports Med. 2018 Feb;48(2):251-267. doi: 10.1007/s40279-017-0796-x.

    PMID: 29116573BACKGROUND

  • Bourne MN, Duhig SJ, Timmins RG, Williams MD, Opar DA, Al Najjar A, Kerr GK, Shield AJ. Impact of the Nordic hamstring and hip extension exercises on hamstring architecture and morphology: implications for injury prevention. Br J Sports Med. 2017 Mar;51(5):469-477. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-096130. Epub 2016 Sep 22.

    PMID: 27660368BACKGROUND

  • Bijur PE, Silver W, Gallagher EJ. Reliability of the visual analog scale for measurement of acute pain. Acad Emerg Med. 2001 Dec;8(12):1153-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1553-2712.2001.tb01132.x.

    PMID: 11733293BACKGROUND

  • Impellizzeri FM, Bizzini M, Rampinini E, Cereda F, Maffiuletti NA. Reliability of isokinetic strength imbalance ratios measured using the Cybex NORM dynamometer. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging. 2008 Mar;28(2):113-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-097X.2007.00786.x. Epub 2007 Dec 7.

    PMID: 18070123BACKGROUND

  • Lee JWY, Mok KM, Chan HCK, Yung PSH, Chan KM. Eccentric hamstring strength deficit and poor hamstring-to-quadriceps ratio are risk factors for hamstring strain injury in football: A prospective study of 146 professional players. J Sci Med Sport. 2018 Aug;21(8):789-793. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2017.11.017. Epub 2017 Dec 5.

    PMID: 29233665BACKGROUND

  • Opar DA, Williams MD, Timmins RG, Hickey J, Duhig SJ, Shield AJ. Eccentric hamstring strength and hamstring injury risk in Australian footballers. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2015 Apr;47(4):857-65. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000465.

    PMID: 25137368BACKGROUND

  • Whyte EF, Heneghan B, Feely K, Moran KA, O'Connor S. The Effect of Hip Extension and Nordic Hamstring Exercise Protocols on Hamstring Strength: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Strength Cond Res. 2021 Oct 1;35(10):2682-2689. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003220.

    PMID: 31356512DERIVED

Study Officials

  • Enda Whyte, PhD

    Dublin City University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

  • Siobhán O'Connor, PhD

    Dublin City University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Masking Details
The principal investigator responsible for the statistical analysis was blinded to the group allocation of participants
Purpose
BASIC SCIENCE
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

September 27, 2018

First Posted

October 5, 2018

Study Start

January 5, 2017

Primary Completion

April 30, 2017

Study Completion

April 30, 2017

Last Updated

October 5, 2018

Record last verified: 2018-10