Less pain, same gain? A randomized controlled trial comparing assisted- versus non-assisted Nordic Hamstring exercise training in elite youth football players

IF 2.2 3区医学 Q1 REHABILITATION

Physical Therapy in Sport Pub Date : 2025-03-03 DOI:10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.02.007

Lasse Ishøi , Simon Meincke , Anders P. Lund , Anders Stenholm , Matt DeLang , Kasper Thornton , Kristian Thorborg

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Abstract

Introduction

The Nordic Hamstring exercise (NHE) increases hamstring strength, but muscle soreness and excessive fatigue may hinder adoption. The assisted NHE (A-NHE), with an elastic band around the chest lowering the force in the eccentric lowering phase, may be a less demanding alternative. We investigated the effectiveness of A-NHE versus NHE on hamstring strength, muscle soreness, and perceived exertion.

Methods

We randomized 31 youth elite football players (under-14 and -15) from a single professional football academy to either NHE or A-NHE, who performed the same supervised 8-week program. The A-NHE was performed with an elastic band, progressing from heavy to light assistance. A blinded tester assessed Nordic hamstring strength, while hamstring muscle soreness and perceived exertion were assessed during each session.

Results

Intention-to-treat analysis showed no group by time interaction (p = 0.61) for Nordic hamstring strength. Both groups improved significantly (A-NHE mean difference: 3.7 kg, 95% CI [2.1; 5.3]; NHE mean difference: 3.2 kg, 95% CI [1.2; 5.2]) corresponding to approximately 20%. The NHE group reported significantly higher hamstring muscle soreness (beta = 1.77, p < 0.01) and perceived exertion (beta = 1.54, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Eight weeks of assisted-versus regular Nordic Hamstring training led to similar strength gains, but with lower hamstring muscle soreness and perceived exertion.

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更少的痛苦，同样的收获？一个随机对照试验比较辅助与非辅助北欧腿筋运动训练的精英青年足球运动员

北欧腿筋运动（NHE）增加腿筋力量，但肌肉酸痛和过度疲劳可能会阻碍采用。辅助NHE （a -NHE）是一种要求较低的替代方法，在偏心性降低阶段，在胸部周围系一根松紧带来降低力。我们研究了A-NHE与NHE对腘绳肌力量、肌肉酸痛和感觉用力的有效性。方法我们将31名14岁以下和15岁以下的优秀青少年足球运动员随机分为NHE和a -NHE两组，他们进行了同样为期8周的监督项目。A-NHE是用橡皮筋进行的，从重辅助到轻辅助。一个盲法测试者评估北欧腘绳肌力量，而腘绳肌酸痛和感觉劳累在每次会议期间进行评估。结果意向-治疗分析显示北欧腘绳肌强度无时间交互作用组（p = 0.61）。两组均有显著改善(A-NHE平均差异：3.7 kg, 95% CI [2.1；5.3);NHE平均差值：3.2 kg, 95% CI [1.2；5.2])，约占20%。NHE组的腘绳肌酸痛程度显著高于对照组(β = 1.77, p <；0.01)和感觉劳累(β = 1.54, p <；0.01)。结论：与常规的北欧腘绳肌训练相比，8周的辅助训练导致了相似的力量增加，但下肢腘绳肌酸痛和感觉劳累。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Physical Therapy in Sport 医学-康复医学

CiteScore

4.50

自引率

8.30%

发文量

125

审稿时长

39 days

期刊介绍： Physical Therapy in Sport is an international peer-reviewed journal that provides a forum for the publication of research and clinical practice material relevant to the healthcare professions involved in sports and exercise medicine, and rehabilitation. The journal publishes material that is indispensable for day-to-day practice and continuing professional development. Physical Therapy in Sport covers topics dealing with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of injuries, as well as more general areas of sports and exercise medicine and related sports science. The journal publishes original research, case studies, reviews, masterclasses, papers on clinical approaches, and book reviews, as well as occasional reports from conferences. Papers are double-blind peer-reviewed by our international advisory board and other international experts, and submissions from a broad range of disciplines are actively encouraged.