Comparison Between Eccentric Hamstring Training and Sprint-Specific Training

THE QUICK READ

What this study involves

The registry says this study is recruiting. Individual locations may have different availability.

Study type: Interventional
Phase: Not applicable
Age range: 18 years - 25 years
Sex eligible: All sexes
Healthy volunteers: Accepted
Participants: 90 Estimated

These are starting points, not an eligibility decision. The research team must review the full requirements.

About the research

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.

Read the full description

Prior to the intervention, participants will undergo baseline testing which will include a) ultrasound imaging of the hamstrings muscles for measures of biceps femoris long head fascicle length, pennation angle, muscle thickness, anatomical cross-sectional area, and muscle volume b) passive and active ranges of motion, c) 3 repetition maximum (3RM) RDL strength, d) peak NHE force, e) countermovement jump height, f) broad jump distance, g) Pro Agility change of direction, and h) a 60 m sprint with sprint kinematics assessed via inertial measurement units.

Participants will be randomly assigned to either the RDL, NHE, or sprint training group. After randomization, each participant will undergo the intervention program based upon their group allocation.

Performance testing and imaging will be repeated mid-intervention, following the intervention, and after 2 weeks of deloading.

Who may be able to participate?

The list below is the sponsor’s full registry wording. It can include conditions, prior treatment, test results and other requirements. A match in search does not mean you qualify.

Inclusion Criteria:

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

Exclusion Criteria:

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

Understand screening

Treatment, groups and participation

The registry may describe treatments and study duration without a complete visit calendar. Ask the study team for the exact schedule, procedures, risks, costs and alternatives. Keep your usual care plan unless your treating clinician tells you otherwise.

Assignment: Random assignment
Masking: Double masked

Romanian dead lift (RDL) group

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

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

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

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.

NHE OTHER

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

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.

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