The effects of Nordic hamstring exercise on pain and performance in elite rowers with low back pain

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of the Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) on pain threshold, flexibility and 2000m rowing performance in elite rowers with lower back pain (LBP). Ten elite rowers (age 17.6 ± 2.12 years) with LBP participated in this study. Participants completed 6-weeks of NHE in addition to their usual training program. Pre- and post-training tests included measures of pain threshold of the lower back, flexibility (sit and reach test) and 2000 m rowing performance. The results demonstrated that an organized HNE caused a significant decrease in pain threshold from 4.8±2 to 3±1.4 (P = 0.03, ES = 0.9) and a non-significant but moderate improvement in rowing performance from 6.9±0.7 min to 6.3±0.9 min (P = 0.1, ES = 0.8). The sit and reach test revealed a non-significant change from 14.9±8.2 cm to 15.2±6.5 cm (P = 0.9, ES = 0.04). We conclude that the NHE may represent an effective method for reducing pain in elite rowers with moderate improvement in rowing performance.

Keywords

• Eccentric training
• strength
• injury