The validity of the Nordic hamstring lower as a field-based assessment of eccentric hamstring strength

Sconce, E; Jones, PA; Turner, EL; Comfort, P; Graham-Smith, P

Abstract

Context: Hamstring injury-risk assessment has primarily been investigated using isokinetic dynamometry.
However, practical issues such as cost and availability limit the widespread application of isokinetics for
injury-risk assessment; thus, field-based alternatives for assessing eccentric hamstring strength are needed.
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the validity of the angle achieved during Nordic hamstring
lowers (break-point angle) as a field-based test for eccentric hamstring strength. Design: Exploratory study.
Setting: Laboratory. Participants: Sixteen male (n = 7) and female (n = 9) soccer players (mean ± SD age 24
± 6 y, height 1.77 ± 0.12 m, and body mass 68.5 ± 16.5 kg) acted as subjects for the study. Main Outcome Measures: The authors explored relationships between the Nordic break-point angle (the point at which the
subject can no longer resist the increasing gravitational moment during a Nordic hamstring lower) measured
from video and isokinetic peak torque and angle of peak torque of right- and left-knee flexors. Results: The
results revealed a meaningful relationship between eccentric knee-flexor peak torque (average of right and
left limbs) and the Nordic break-point angle (r = –.808, r2 = 65%, P < .00001). However, there was a weak
relationship observed (r = .480, r2 = 23%, P = .06) between break-point angle and the angle of peak torque
(average of right and left limbs). Conclusions: The results suggest that the break-point angle achieved during
Nordic hamstring lowers could be used as a field-based assessment of eccentric hamstring strength.

Citation

Sconce, E., Jones, P., Turner, E., Comfort, P., & Graham-Smith, P. (2015). The validity of the Nordic hamstring lower as a field-based assessment of eccentric hamstring strength. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 24(1), 13-20. https://doi.org/10.1123/JSR.2013-0097

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Feb 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Feb 20, 2015
• Journal: Journal of Sport Rehabilitation
• Print ISSN: 1056-6716
• Electronic ISSN: 1543-3072
• Publisher: Human Kinetics
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 24
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 13-20
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/JSR.2013-0097
• Keywords: break-point angle, peak torque, angle of peak torque, angle of crossover, hamstring injury risk
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/JSR.2013-0097
• Related Public URLs: http://journals.humankinetics.com/jsr
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