The dose–response of pain throughout a Nordic hamstring exercise intervention
Fearghal P. Behan, David A. Opar, Robin Vermeulen, Ryan G. Timmins, Rod Whiteley
Abstract
The Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) reduces hamstring injury incidence. Compliance to large exercise volumes of the NHE is poor, with exercise related soreness often seen as a contributing factor. We investigated the dose-response of NHE exposure with delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and non-DOMS pain. Forty males were randomized to a 6-week intervention of four different NHE dosages: Group 1: very low volume; Group 2: low volume; Group 3: initial high to low volume; Group 4: low to high volume. Group 4 experienced more DOMS (p < 0.05) and non-DOMS pain (p = 0.030) than other groups. High volumes of NHE increase DOMS and non-DOMS pain while lower volume protocols have lesser DOMS and non-DOMS pain responses.