What is it about?

Nordic hamstring is one of the most typical knee flexor muscles eccentric exercise and Nordic hamstring strength predicts the risk of knee flexor muscle strain injury. However, what exactly Nordic hamstring strength indicates is not clear. We investigated the relationship between Nordic hamstring strength and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque of the knee flexors measured by an isokinetic dynamometer. As a result, no significant correlations were evident between the peak Nordic hamstring strength and eccentric, concentric, isometric knee flexion torque.

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Why is it important?

Our results show that Nordic hamstring strength is not associated with the knee flexor torque measured by an isokinetic dynamometer. It may be that other factors (ex. lumbopelvic muscles) than static and dynamic hamstring strengths affect Nordic hamstring strength. The present study also showed that the individuals who could lean forward more in the Nordic hamstring could exert greater Nordic hamstring strength. Therefore, a hamstring strain injury risk can be estimated on the field by assessing how much of the body can be leaned forward during Nordic hamstring.

Perspectives

Our findings suggest that 1) the contribution of muscles other than the knee flexors, including the lumbopelvic muscles, may be significant for the Nordic hamstring, and 2) movement control may be an important aspect of the exercise. It is hoped that future research will further clarify these exercise characteristics and lead to the implementation of appropriate exercises in the sports field.

Satoru Nishida
Ryutsu Keizai Daigaku

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This page is a summary of: Relationship between Nordic hamstring strength and maximal voluntary eccentric, concentric and isometric knee flexion torque, PLoS ONE, February 2022, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264465.
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