Hamstring InjuryNCT05733273
The Effect of 6 Week Hamstring Exercise Programs on Hamstring Muscle Function Performance in Female Athletes
A study testing Nordic hamstring exercise program, Single leg bridge exercise program and Hamstring razor curl in people with Hamstring Injury, run by Dublin City University at 1 site in Ireland.
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Hamstring Injury
- What is being tested?
- Nordic hamstring exercise program, Single leg bridge exercise program and Hamstring razor curl
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 47 participants
- Where
- 1 siteIreland
- Study dates
- 15 Feb 2023to 12 May 2023
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- female
- university athlete competing in team sports at least three times per week
- free from hamstring injury in previous 6 months
Who cannot join
- history of a hip or knee injury in the 3 months prior to the study
- a history of anterior cruciate ligament rupture
- a history of involvement in a hamstring strengthening, injury prevention programme in the 3 months prior to the study
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effect of 6 Week Hamstring Exercise Programs on Hamstring Muscle Function and Performance in Female Athletes
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.
Read the 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.
- Conditions
- Hamstring Injury
- Being tested
- Nordic hamstring exercise program, Single leg bridge exercise program, Hamstring razor curl
- Keywords
- Eccentric hamstring strength, Sprint performance, Nordic hamstring exercise
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Nordic hamstring exercise programOther
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
Single leg bridge exercise programOther
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
Hamstring razor curlOther
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
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Nordic Hamstring exercise program | Active comparator | Participants are required to kneel on a gym mat keeping their hips in a slightly flexed position and to slowly lower themselves in a controlled manner as far as they could towards the ground. When they can no longer lower themselves as such, they are instructed to utilise their arms to buffer the fall and touch their chest off the ground, while maintaining tension in their hamstrings. Once their chest touches the ground they are instructed to immediately return to the starting position by pushing up with their hands Receives: Other: Nordic hamstring exercise program |
| Single leg hamstring bridge exercise program | Experimental | The single-leg hamstring bridge is performed with the athlete lying on the ground with one heel supported by their partner, the hip in approximately 45° and the knee in approximately 20° of flexion. The participants cross their arms across the chest and push down through the heel to lift their buttocks off the ground. The participant should allow their buttocks to touch the ground momentarily and then the hip should be extended to 0°. Receives: Other: Single leg bridge exercise program |
| Razor curl | Experimental | Participants are required to kneel on a gym mat and flex their hips and knees to approximately 90 degrees. They then allow their body to descend towards the ground by extending at the knees and hip simultaneously. When they can no longer lower themselves as such, they are instructed to utilise their arms to buffer the fall and touch their chest off the ground, while maintaining tension in their hamstrings. Once their chest touches the ground they are instructed to immediately return to the starting position by pushing up with their hands Receives: Other: Hamstring razor curl |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
eccentric hamstring strength
This will be measured using devices that measure the eccentric strength of the hamstrings during the Nordic hamstring exercise. The devices are called the Hamstring Solo device and the Nordbord device. Participants will kneel on the padded surface of the device with their lower limbs held in position just above the ankles. The ankle supports have load sensitive cells. The participants will be asked to complete the nordic hamstring exercise. This involves them folding their arms across their chest and slowly lowering themselves towards the ground by allowing their knees to slowly straighten. The load cells will record the force (newtons) during the exercise for each leg.
Measured: Change from baseline 6 weeks
eccentric hamstring moment
This will be measured using devices that measure the eccentric strength of the hamstrings during the Nordic hamstring exercise. The devices are called the Hamstring Solo device and the Nordbord device. Participants will kneel on the padded surface of the device with their lower limbs held in position just above the ankles. The ankle supports have load sensitive cells. The participants will be asked to complete the nordic hamstring exercise. This involves them folding their arms across their chest and slowly lowering themselves towards the ground by allowing their knees to slowly straighten. The load cells will record the force (newtons) during the exercise for each leg. The distance from the load cells to the knee joint will be measured (meters) to calculate the moment in Newton meters for the exercise
Measured: Change from baseline 6 weeks
isometric hamstring strength and moment
Isometric knee flexor strength will be assessed by placing the participant in prone with the hip in 0° extension and 30° in knee flexion. The investigator will hold the dynamometer 5cm above the lateral malleolus in the posterior midline. The participant will be asked to bend their knee by attempting to pull their heel towards their bottom
Measured: Change from baseline 6 weeks
isometric hip extensor strength and moment
Hip extensor strength will be assessed by placing the participant in a prone position with their tested leg in 0° hip extension and 90° knee flexion. The handheld dynomometer will be held by the investigator against the heel of the participant. The participant will be instructed to raise their leg upwards against the resistance of the investigator. This will be repeated with the hip placed in 30 degrees flexion
Measured: Change from baseline 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes (2)
Sprint performance
Participants will perform three maximal 30 metre sprint tests with 4 minutes of recovery in between. Time elapsed will be recorded by timing gates placed at 0m, 5m, 15m, and 30m. Participants will start from a standing split position. The first timing gate will be triggered at initial toe off of the back leg. Times will be recorded and mechanical sprint variables (maximal horizontal force production, maximal horizontal power output and maximal theoretical velocity) will be calculated using an Excel spreadsheet (Samozio et al., 2016). The participants best time of the three attempts will be recorded.
Measured: Change from baseline 6 weeks
Muscle soreness following exercise
Participants will use a ten point numerical rating scale to record the level of muscle soreness after training sessions.
The scale will range from 0 to 10 where 0 is no pain and 10 is the most severe pain imaginable.
Measured: Following each session
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Feb 2023
- Study start15 Feb 2023
- Primary completion6 May 2023
- Study completion12 May 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Hamstring InjuryStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 47 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Dublin City University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Enda Whyte, Dublin City University
- Investigators
- Enda Whyte, PhD, Principal investigator, Dublin City University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05733273
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2022_ATT_EW_15
- Status last verified
- May 2023
- First submitted
- 8 Feb 2023
- Last updated
- 22 May 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 22 May 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of 6 Week Hamstring Exercise Programs on Hamstring Muscle Function and Performance in Female Athletes
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05733273
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2022_ATT_EW_15
- Conditions
- Hamstring Injury
- Keywords
- Eccentric hamstring strength, Sprint performance, Nordic hamstring exercise
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 47 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Dublin City UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Feb 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 6 May 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 12 May 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 17 Feb 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Nordic Hamstring exercise program | Active comparator | Other: Nordic hamstring exercise programParticipants are required to kneel on a gym mat keeping their hips in a slightly flexed position and to slowly lower themselves in a controlled manner as far as they could towards the ground. When they can no longer lower themselves as such, they are instructed to utilise their arms to buffer the fall and touch their chest off the ground, while maintaining tension in their hamstrings. Once their chest touches the ground they are instructed to immediately return to the starting position by pushing up with their hands |
| Single leg hamstring bridge exercise program | Experimental | Other: Single leg bridge exercise programThe single-leg hamstring bridge is performed with the athlete lying on the ground with one heel supported by their partner, the hip in approximately 45° and the knee in approximately 20° of flexion. The participants cross their arms across the chest and push down through the heel to lift their buttocks off the ground. The participant should allow their buttocks to touch the ground momentarily and then the hip should be extended to 0°. |
| Razor curl | Experimental | Other: Hamstring razor curlParticipants are required to kneel on a gym mat and flex their hips and knees to approximately 90 degrees. They then allow their body to descend towards the ground by extending at the knees and hip simultaneously. When they can no longer lower themselves as such, they are instructed to utilise their arms to buffer the fall and touch their chest off the ground, while maintaining tension in their hamstrings. Once their chest touches the ground they are instructed to immediately return to the starting position by pushing up with their hands |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- female
- university athlete competing in team sports at least three times per week
- free from hamstring injury in previous 6 months
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- history of a hip or knee injury in the 3 months prior to the study
- a history of anterior cruciate ligament rupture
- a history of involvement in a hamstring strengthening, injury prevention programme in the 3 months prior to the study
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Nordic hamstring exercise programWeek 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 | Other | Nordic Hamstring exercise program |
| Single leg bridge exercise programWeek 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 | Other | Single leg hamstring bridge exercise program |
| Hamstring razor curlWeek 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 | Other | Razor curl |
Primary outcome
eccentric hamstring strength
Time frame: Change from baseline 6 weeks
This will be measured using devices that measure the eccentric strength of the hamstrings during the Nordic hamstring exercise. The devices are called the Hamstring Solo device and the Nordbord device. Participants will kneel on the padded surface of the device with their lower limbs held in position just above the ankles. The ankle supports have load sensitive cells. The participants will be asked to complete the nordic hamstring exercise. This involves them folding their arms across their chest and slowly lowering themselves towards the ground by allowing their knees to slowly straighten. The load cells will record the force (newtons) during the exercise for each leg.
eccentric hamstring moment
Time frame: Change from baseline 6 weeks
This will be measured using devices that measure the eccentric strength of the hamstrings during the Nordic hamstring exercise. The devices are called the Hamstring Solo device and the Nordbord device. Participants will kneel on the padded surface of the device with their lower limbs held in position just above the ankles. The ankle supports have load sensitive cells. The participants will be asked to complete the nordic hamstring exercise. This involves them folding their arms across their chest and slowly lowering themselves towards the ground by allowing their knees to slowly straighten. The load cells will record the force (newtons) during the exercise for each leg. The distance from the load cells to the knee joint will be measured (meters) to calculate the moment in Newton meters for the exercise
isometric hamstring strength and moment
Time frame: Change from baseline 6 weeks
Isometric knee flexor strength will be assessed by placing the participant in prone with the hip in 0° extension and 30° in knee flexion. The investigator will hold the dynamometer 5cm above the lateral malleolus in the posterior midline. The participant will be asked to bend their knee by attempting to pull their heel towards their bottom
isometric hip extensor strength and moment
Time frame: Change from baseline 6 weeks
Hip extensor strength will be assessed by placing the participant in a prone position with their tested leg in 0° hip extension and 90° knee flexion. The handheld dynomometer will be held by the investigator against the heel of the participant. The participant will be instructed to raise their leg upwards against the resistance of the investigator. This will be repeated with the hip placed in 30 degrees flexion
2 secondary outcomes
Sprint performance
Time frame: Change from baseline 6 weeks
Muscle soreness following exercise
Time frame: Following each session
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 22 May 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Enda Whyte, PhD principal investigator
Dublin City University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Nordic hamstring exercise program, Single leg bridge exercise program and Hamstring razor curl in people with Hamstring Injury, run by Dublin City University at 1 site in Ireland.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 May 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Ireland. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
eccentric hamstring strength (time frame: Change from baseline 6 weeks). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 22 May 2025.