The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the differences in lower limb muscle function and sprint performance following the application of slide leg and Nordic hamstring exercises in male collegiate soccer club players in their 20s. The go...
The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the differences in lower limb muscle function and sprint performance following the application of slide leg and Nordic hamstring exercises in male collegiate soccer club players in their 20s. The goal was to provide foundational data on effective methods for enhancing eccentric hamstring strength among collegiate soccer athletes. Thirty male collegiate soccer players were randomly assigned to one of three groups: the slide leg exercise group (n = 10), the Nordic hamstring exercise group (n = 10), and a control group (n = 10). Each training program was conducted for six weeks. Pre- and post-tests were performed to evaluate lower limb muscle function—eccentric knee flexor strength, concentric knee extensor strength, functional H:Q ratio, eccentric hip extensor strength, and hamstring flexibility—as well as sprint performance variables, including sprint time, trunk angle, hip joint angle, knee joint angle, and stride length.. The results are as follows: 1. Following six weeks of the training program, both the slide leg and Nordic hamstring exercise groups showed significant improvements in eccentric knee flexor strength at angular velocities of 60°/s and 180°/s. 2. Following six weeks of the training program, an angular velocity of 180°/s and a knee flexion angle of 20°, significant improvement in eccentric knee flexor strength was observed only in the slide leg exercise group. 3. Following six weeks of the training program, functional H:Q ratio significantly improved in both the slide leg and Nordic hamstring exercise groups at angular velocities of 60°/s and 180°/s after six weeks of training. 4. Following six weeks of the training program, eccentric hip extensor strength at 120°/s significantly increased only in the slide leg exercise group after six weeks of training. 5. Following six weeks of the training program, hamstring flexibility significantly improved in both the slide leg and Nordic hamstring exercise groups following the six-week training program. 6. Following six weeks of the training program, knee joint angle significantly improved in both the slide leg and Nordic hamstring exercise groups after six weeks of training. These findings demonstrate that both the slide leg and Nordic hamstring exercises effectively improve eccentric knee flexor strength, functional H:Q ratio, hamstring flexibility, and knee joint angles in male collegiate soccer players. Notably, the slide leg exercise enhanced eccentric strength at joint angles associated with a high risk of injury, suggesting its potential as a comprehensive eccentric strengthening strategy that complements the limited range of motion inherent in the Nordic hamstring exercise. Keywords: Slide Leg Exercise, Nordic Hamstring Exercise, Sprint Kinematic, Knee Range of Motion