Effects of Nordic versus Sprint Exercise Program in Prevention of Hamstring Injuries in Football Players
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v4i1.198Keywords:
Hamstring strain injuries, Muscle, Muscle Strength, Exercise Therapy, Running, Sports MedicineAbstract
Background: Hamstring strain injuries (HSI) are frequent in football and other high-speed running sports. Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) has been found to increase eccentric hamstring strength and decrease the risk of hamstring strain injury (HSI). Sprint exercise, which includes maximal eccentric contractions, is supposed to engage the hamstrings and prevent HSI.
Objective: The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the effectiveness of Nordic and sprint exercise programs in preventing hamstring injuries in football players.
Methods: The study involved 26 male football players aged 18-25 years, who exercised regularly for 2-3 times a week in the preceding 3 months. They were randomly divided into two groups. One group received Nordic exercise and conventional treatment, while the other group received sprint training exercises and conventional treatment. The duration of the program was 6 weeks, with two 30-minute sessions per week. The evaluation was based on the 40m sprint test and active knee extension test, which were measured using a goniometer. The 40m sprint was timed, and the active knee extension test measured the range of motion. The results were analyzed based on these measurements.
Results: The participants' average ages, heights, and weights were respectively 21.1538 1.91191, 1.74 0.029, and 74.8462 4.18275. Shapiro-Wilk test was applied showed data to be non-parametric distributed (P < 0.05). Wilcoxon and Mann Whitney tests were used to analyze the difference between pre- and post-treatment scores in the experimental and control groups. which were found to significanlty improved in experimental group, while both groups found to be improved significantly in a pre-post analysis, p value < 0.05.
Conclusion: Both Nordic and sprint exercise programs were effective in reducing the risk of hamstring injuries. However, the Nordic exercise program showed significantly greater improvement in preventing HSI in football players.
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