title: Nordic hamstring exercise training alters knee joint kinematics and hamstring activation patterns in young men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the kinematic and muscle activation adaptations during performance of the Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) to a 6-week eccentric hamstring training programme using the NHE as the sole mode of exercise.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-nine healthy males were randomly allocated to a control (CG) or intervention (IG) group. The IG participated in a 6-week eccentric hamstring exercise programme using the NHE.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings of the present study were that a 6-week eccentric hamstring training programme improved eccentric hamstring muscle strength (202.4 vs. 177.4 nm, p = 0.0002, Cohen's d = 0.97) and optimized kinematic (longer control of the forward fall component of the NHE, 68.1° vs. 73.7°, p = 0.022, Cohen's d = 0.90) and neuromuscular parameters (increased electromyographic activity of the hamstrings, 83.2 vs. 56.6 % and 92.0 vs. 54.2 %, p < 0.05, Cohen's d > 1.25) associated with NHE performance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides some insight into potential mechanisms by which an eccentric hamstring exercise programme utilizing the NHE as the mode of exercise may result in an improvement in hamstring muscle control during eccentric contractions.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. eamonn.delahunt@ucd.ie.|Institute for Sport and Health, University College Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. eamonn.delahunt@ucd.ie.
authors.forename: Eamonn
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Delahunt
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McGroarty
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland.|Institute for Sport and Health, University College Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Vito
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland.|Institute for Sport and Health, University College Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ditroilo
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015444:Exercise; D000070633:Hamstring Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D011897:Random Allocation; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Articular goniometry; Electromyography; Leg injuries; Lower extremity; Muscle contraction