Original Research Article
Year: 2018 | Month: March | Volume: 8 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 119-132
Effectiveness of Nordic Hamstring Exercise in Improving Hamstring Muscle Flexibility, Strength and Endurance among Young Adults
Seethal K Babu1, Anila Paul2
1MPT, 2Professor & HOD,
Medical Trust Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Physiotherapy, Irumpanam, Kochi, Kerala. 682309.
Corresponding Author: Anila Paul
ABSTRACT
Background: Hamstring injuries are common in activities of daily living and sports. Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) is an eccentric training of the hamstrings which can both lower the risk of hamstring strain and improve muscle performance. Fitness parameters like, muscle flexibility, strength and endurance are important for injury prevention. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate effect of Nordic Hamstring Exercise (NHE) in improving Hamstring muscle flexibility, strength and endurance among young adults.
Methodology: Forty subjects were recruited for the study through purposive sampling based on inclusion criteria. Participants were allocated to two groups, experimental group (females= 15, males= 5) and control group (females=15, males=5) randomly. Pre test analysis was conducted for both groups for Hamstring muscle flexibility using sit and reach test, strength with Modified Sphygmomanometer Test (MST) and endurance with Sit to stand test. Experimental group received NHE in addition to conventional exercise whereas; control group received conventional exercise for 5 weeks. Immediate post test analysis was conducted. Student’s ‘t’ test was used for statistical analysis.
Results: There was a significant difference in flexibility (t=4.20), strength right side (t=3.54), strength left side (t=3.48) and endurance (t=4.41) between the control and experimental group with level of significance p≤0.05.
Conclusion: This study revealed significant improvement in Hamstring muscle flexibility, strength, and endurance after 5 weeks of Nordic Hamstring Exercise training.
Key words: Nordic Hamstring Exercise, Eccentric training, Flexibility, Strength, Endurance.