The Effect of 6 Week Hamstring Exercise Programs on Hamstring Muscle Function Performance in Female Athletes
Condition: Hamstring Injury
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This study aims to compare the effect of two hamstring strengthening programs on hamstring
      muscle strength in female university athletes. 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.
    

Detailed description: 
      Participants will be recruited from the local university sports clubs. Club chairpersons will
      be asked to send an email to club players. Players interested in participating in the study
      will be asked to attend a meeting where the study will be explained to them. Those who were
      interested will then be assessed for inclusion and exclusion criteria.

      Group allocation:

      A four block randomization method will be used to allocate participants to the Nordic
      hamstring exercise protocol or the single leg bridge protocol.

      Interventions:

      The Nordic hamstring exercise program or the single leg bridge program.

      Testing procedure:

      The eccentric strength of the participants' hamstrings and hip extensors will be recorded
      before and after the exercise intervention.

      30 metre sprint performance will be recorded before and after the intervention. A 10 point
      visual analogue scale will be used to record the level of muscle soreness experienced after
      each training session.
    

Intervention name(s): Nordic hamstring exercise program; Single leg bridge exercise program; Hamstring razor curl
Intervention type(s): Other; Other; Other
Intervention description(s): 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; 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; 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
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double (Participant, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Prevention
Keywords: Eccentric hamstring strength; Sprint performance; Nordic hamstring exercise