Effect of two eccentric hamstring exercises on muscle architectural characteristics assessed with diffusion tensor MRI

Jozef J M Suskens*, Laura Secondulfo, Özgür Kiliç, Melissa T Hooijmans, Gustaaf Reurink, Martijn Froeling, Aart J Nederveen, Gustav J Strijkers, Johannes L Tol

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of a Nordic hamstring exercise or Diver hamstring exercise intervention on biceps femoris long head, semitendinosus and semimembranosus muscle's fascicle length and orientation through diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with magnetic resonance imaging.

METHODS: In this three-arm, single-center, randomized controlled trial, injury-free male basketball players were randomly assigned to a Nordic, Diver hamstring exercise intervention or control group. The primary outcome was the DTI-derived fascicle length and orientation of muscles over 12 weeks.

RESULTS: Fifty-three participants were included for analysis (mean age 22 ± 7 years). Fascicle length in the semitendinosus over 12 weeks significantly increased in the Nordic-group (mean [M]: 20.8 mm, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 7.8 to 33.8) compared with the Control-group (M: 0.9 mm, 95% CI: -7.1 to 8.9), mean between-groups difference: 19.9 mm, 95% CI: 1.9 to 37.9, p = 0.026. Fascicle orientation in the biceps femoris long head over 12 weeks significantly decreased in the Diver-group (mean: -2.6°, 95% CI: -4.1 to -1.0) compared with the Control-group (mean: -0.2°, 95% CI: -1.4 to 1.0), mean between-groups difference: -2.4°, 95% CI: -4.7 to -0.1, p = 0.039.

CONCLUSION: The Nordic hamstring exercise intervention did significantly increase the fascicle length of the semitendinosus and the Diver hamstring exercise intervention did significantly change the orientation of fascicles of the biceps femoris long head. As both exercises are complementary to each other, the combination is relevant for preventing hamstring injuries.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)393-406
Number of pages14
JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports
Volume33
Issue number4
Early online date13 Dec 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2023

Keywords

  • diffusion tensor imaging
  • fascicle length
  • hamstring injury
  • pennation angle

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