Sprint Specificity of Isolated Hamstring-Strengthening Exercises in Terms of Muscle Activity and Force Production

Abstract

To train hamstring muscle specifically to sprint, strengthening programs should target exercises associated with horizontal force production and high levels of hamstring activity. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to analyze the correlation between force production capacities during sprinting and hamstring strengthening exercises, and to compare hamstring muscle activity during sprinting and these exercises. Fourteen track and field regional level athletes performed two maximal 50-m sprints and six strengthening exercises: Nordic hamstring exercises without and with hip flexion, Upright-hip-extension in isometric and concentric modalities, Standing kick, and Slide-leg-bridge. The sprinting horizontal force production capacity at low (F0) and high (V0) speeds was computed from running velocity data. Hamstring muscle performances were assessed directly or indirectly during isolated exercises. Hamstring muscle electromyographic activity was recorded during all tasks. Our results demonstrate substantially large to very large correlations between V0 and performances in the Upright-hip-extension in isometric (r_s = 0.56; p = 0.040), Nordic hamstring exercise without hip flexion (r_s = 0.66; p = 0.012) and with 90° hip flexion (r_s = 0.73; p = 0.003), and between F0 and Upright-hip-extension in isometric (r_s = 0.60; p = 0.028) and the Nordic hamstring exercise without hip flexion (r_s = 0.59; p = 0.030). However, none of the test exercises activated hamstring muscles more than an average of 60% of the maximal activation during top-speed sprinting. In conclusion, training programs aiming to be sprint-specific in terms of horizontal force production could include exercises such as the Upright-hip-extension and the Nordic hamstring exercise, in addition to maximal sprinting activity, which is the only exercise leading to high levels of hamstring muscle activity.

Keywords: hamstring muscles; horizontal force production; sprint mechanics; strength exercises; track and field.

Figure 1

EMG electrodes placement for semitendinosus (a) and biceps femoris long head (b).

Figure 2

Individual distribution, median, quartiles, minimum, maximum of biceps femoris, and semitendinosus neuromuscular activity (EMG) during exercises (%) related to the maximal burst of activity during sprint (100%). *A significant difference between this EMG activity and 100% (p < 0.008). NHE0 and NHE90, Nordic hamstring exercise at 0 and 90° of hip flexion; UHE-I and UHE-C, Upright hip extension in isometric and concentric modalities; SK, Standing kick; SB, Slide Leg Bridge.