Nordic Hamstring Curls are a Remedy for Hamstring Muscle Injury: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Nordic hamstring curls increase the hamstrings' eccentric strength, which reduces the muscle pull to a great extent in high-intensity sports athletes. This descriptive review study was carried out to assess whether Nordic hamstring curl workouts are effective in preventing hamstring muscle injuries. Hamstring injuries are a common soft tissue affliction frequently experienced by athletes, often resulting from eccentric contractions during high-speed movements. The inability of hamstring muscles to tolerate the stretching and strengthening demands of competitive sports is a significant cause of these injuries. The Nordic hamstring curl has emerged as a significant intervention for increasing eccentric hamstring strength and reducing severe injury risk. A thorough online search, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Google Advanced Search Engine, yielded 63 relevant studies that provided authentic evidence. Results suggest that incorporating Nordic hamstring curls into a training regimen can potentially reduce hamstring injury rates by up to 70%. These exercises, when executed systematically and progressively, can increase muscle hypertrophy, strengthen the back of the leg, and improve the overall health of the knee. Adopting preventive strategies focused on generating stimulus through Nordic hamstring curls is crucial for athletes involved in high-intensity sports. It is no surprise that the Nordic hamstring curl exercise is one of the greatest hamstring muscle exercises for strengthening the back of the leg compared to other hamstring exercise protocols and building eccentric strength while lowering the threat of injury.