The Effect of 8-Week Nordic Hamstring Exercise on Hamstring Quadriceps Ratio and Hamstring Muscle Strength

Abstract

The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of 8-week Nordic Hamstring (NH) exercise on hamstring/quadricepsratio (H/Q) and hamstring muscle strength. 22 amateur soccer players participated in the study. Soccer players weredivided into two groups: the control group (CG) (n = 11) who only practiced soccer training and the NordicHamstring exercise group (NHEG) (n = 11) who performed NH in addition to soccer training. The isokinetic kneemuscle strength of the soccer player was measured twice at the beginning of the study and after the 8 week NHexercise. An isokinetic dynamometer was used to determine isokinetic knee strengths of soccer players. Thedifference between pre-test and post-test results of isokinetic knee muscle strength of soccer players was determinedby Wilcoxon test. According to the results obtained, it was found that the H/Q ratio (at 180ºs-1 and 240ºs-1 angularvelocities) and hamstring muscle strength (60ºs-1, 180ºs-1 and 240ºs-1 angular velocities) increased statisticallysignificantly (p<0.05). As a result, it can be stated that NH exercise is a very important factor in achieving thedesired level of H/Q ratio, which is an important factor in increasing sportive performance and thus decreasing therisk of injury as well as increasing hamstring muscle strength.