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