Comparison Between Eccentric Hamstring Training and Sprint-Specific Training

NCT07716319 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 3 other identifiers: 2026-0704UWMSN | SOE | Kinesiology OperProtocol Version 5/5/26
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of an intensity-, volume-, and time under tension-matched eccentric hamstring exercise intervention with the Romanian deadlift (RDL) and the Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) to a sprint-specific training program on hamstring muscle architecture, volume, sprint performance, strength, and power. Participants will be assigned to complete one of the 3 hamstring interventions for 10 weeks.

Conditions

Healthy Adult; Athlete; Exercise Training; Sport; Running; Ultrasound Imaging

Keywords

strength; agility; sprint; hypertrophy; countermovement jump; fascicle length; hamstring; range of motion

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Change in fascicle length (FL)

  Baseline to Mid-intervention (6 weeks), Post-intervention (10 weeks), and Post 2 week de-training (12 weeks)

• Change in muscle cross-sectional area (CSA)

  Baseline to Mid-intervention (6 weeks), Post-intervention (10 weeks), and Post 2 week de-training (12 weeks)

• Change in muscle volume

  Baseline to Mid-intervention (6 weeks), Post-intervention (10 weeks), and Post 2 week de-training (12 weeks)

• Change in pennation angle (PA)

  Baseline to Mid-intervention (6 weeks), Post-intervention (10 weeks), and Post 2 week de-training (12 weeks)

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Change in eccentric strength

  Baseline to Mid-intervention (6 weeks), Post-intervention (10 weeks), and Post 2 week de-training (12 weeks)

• Change in inertial measurement units (IMU)-based sprinting biomechanics

  Baseline to Mid-intervention (6 weeks), Post-intervention (10 weeks), and Post 2 week de-training (12 weeks)

• Change in countermovement jump (CMJ) performance

  Baseline to Mid-intervention (6 weeks), Post-intervention (10 weeks), and Post 2 week de-training (12 weeks)

• Change in standing broad jump (SBJ) performance

  Baseline to Mid-intervention (6 weeks), Post-intervention (10 weeks), and Post 2 week de-training (12 weeks)

• Change in change of direction (CoD) performance

  Baseline to Mid-intervention (6 weeks), Post-intervention (10 weeks), and Post 2 week de-training (12 weeks)

Study Arms (3)

Romanian dead lift (RDL) group

EXPERIMENTAL

The training intervention groups will undergo the same program with the only difference being the interventional hamstring exercise. The program will consist of a 2-week familiarization period followed by 8 weeks of progressive training. The RDL arm will perform RDL.

Other: RDL

Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) group

EXPERIMENTAL

The training intervention groups will undergo the same program with the only difference being the interventional hamstring exercise. The program will consist of a 2-week familiarization period followed by 8 weeks of progressive training. The NHE arm will performed NHE

Other: NHE

Sprint group

EXPERIMENTAL

The training intervention groups will undergo the same program with the only difference being the interventional hamstring exercise. The program will consist of a 2-week familiarization period followed by 8 weeks of progressive training. The sprint training program will be performed twice per week with the first day of training focused on shorter distances to focus on acceleration and the second training day focused on maximal velocity. The relative efforts and distances for each training day will mimic a similar prescription to that of the resistance training program.

Other: Sprint testing

Interventions

RDL OTHER

The RDL will be performed with a 6 second eccentric component with the athlete returning to the start position with a maximal concentric hip extension.

Romanian dead lift (RDL) group

NHE OTHER

The NHE will be performed with a 6 second eccentric component.

Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) group

Sprint testing OTHER

The sprint training program will be performed twice per week with the first day of training focused on shorter distances to focus on acceleration and the second training day focused on maximal velocity. The relative efforts and distances for each training day will mimic a similar prescription to that of the resistance training program.

Sprint group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18-25 years
• Actively participating in a club team
• \>6 months experience with resistance training
• Minimum of 1 year experience at the high school level in organized team sport
• No history of hamstring injury within the last 6 months
• No history of major lower extremity surgery (including back)
• No acute musculoskeletal injury to the lower extremity
• Not currently pregnant

You may not qualify if:

• Unable to refrain from resistance training outside the study
• Unable to make at least 80% of the training sessions
• Hamstring injury in the last 6 months
• History of major lower extremity surgery (including back)
• Acute musculoskeletal injury to the lower extremity
• Currently pregnant

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Wisconsin, Madison: lead
• National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Foundation: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, Wisconsin, 53705, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Hypertrophy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Central Study Contacts

Scott K Crawford, PhD

CONTACT

608) 265-1308; skcrawford2@wisc.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 7, 2026
• First Posted: July 21, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2027
• Last Updated: July 21, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)