Alternative to nordic hamstring exercise: İncline treadmill running

The aim of this study was to compare the electromyography (EMG) amplitudes of the Biceps Femoris (BF) muscle during Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) and inclined treadmill running at 3.61 m/s, 4.16 m/s and 10% incline at self-selected speed METHODS: Nineteen participants (age 21.43±1.68 years) volunteered to participate in the study. First, maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) tests were completed, followed by NHE and inclined treadmill running. Right leg BF EMG activity was recorded for each participant during the measurements. RESULTS: The peak EMG amplitude for the BF was significantly higher during NHE compared to inclined treadmill running. In terms of peak EMG data, the closest results to NHE were found during running at a speed of 4.16 m/s. The coefficient of variation (CV) for BF peak EMG was significantly different between NHE and treadmill conditions. CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that BF EMG amplitudes during NHE were higher than those during running conditions and that the running conditions differed significantly among themselves. When the CV values of NHE and runs were analyzed, it was observed that NHE showed less variability, on the contrary, when the CV values of the runs were analyzed among themselves, it was observed that there was no statistical difference and it was more variable. In the light of these findings, inclined treadmill running may be an alternative approach to rehabilitation programs and injury prevention exercises