NCT04744194

Brief Summary

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.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

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

Enrollment
38

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Feb 2022

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

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

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

February 1, 2021

Completed
7 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

February 8, 2021

Completed
1 year until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

February 13, 2022

Completed
3 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

May 6, 2022

Completed
6 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

November 6, 2022

Completed
Last Updated

February 10, 2023

Status Verified

February 1, 2023

Enrollment Period

3 months

First QC Date

February 1, 2021

Last Update Submit

February 8, 2023

Conditions

Hamstring Injury

Keywords

Eccentric hamstring strengthNordic hamstring exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

  • Eccentric hamstring strength

    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.

    Change from baseline after 6 weeks

  • Eccentric hamstring moment

    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

    Change from baseline after 6 weeks

  • Hamstring strength endurance

    This will be measured by assessing the number of repetitions of the single leg bridge exercise to failure

    Change from baseline after 6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Muscle soreness ratings following exercise

    immediately following each session

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

    Change from baseline after 6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Nordic hamstring exercise program

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants are 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 can no longer lower themselves as such, they are 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 touches the ground they are instructed to immediately return to the starting position by pushing up with their hands

Other: Nordic hamstring exercise program

Assisted nordic hamstring exercise program

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants are 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. During this exercise, participants are attached to a weighted pulley cable system via a chest attachment. A sufficient amount of assistance is given to allow the participant to lower to 30 degrees of knee flexion. When they can no longer lower themselves as such, they are 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 touches the ground they are instructed to immediately return to the starting position by pushing up with their hands

Other: Assisted nordic hamstring exercise program

Interventions

Nordic hamstring exercise programOTHER

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.

Nordic hamstring exercise program
Assisted nordic hamstring exercise programOTHER

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

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

  • free from hamstring injury in the 6 months prior to the study
  • currently competing in team sports 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

Study Sites (1)

Dublin City University

Dublin, Dublin 9, Ireland

Location

Study Officials

  • enda whyte, PhD

    Dublin City University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
PREVENTION
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

February 1, 2021

First Posted

February 8, 2021

Study Start

February 13, 2022

Primary Completion

May 6, 2022

Study Completion

November 6, 2022

Last Updated

February 10, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-02

Locations

IE(1)