title: The validity of the nordic hamstring lower for a field-based assessment of eccentric hamstring strength.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Exploratory study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Health, Sport and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Salford, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sconce
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Ellena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Comfort
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Graham-Smith
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology; D013848:Thigh / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology*; D019415:Torque; D014741:Video Recording; D055815:Young Adult