Effects of an Elastic Hamstring Assistance Device During Downhill Running

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the appropriateness of using an elastic hamstring assistance device to reduce perceived levels of soreness, increase isometric strength, increase passive range of motion, and decrease biomarkers of muscle damage after eccentric exercise, specifically, downhill running This study was conducted in a university exercise physiology laboratory placing sixteen apparently healthy males ( = 21.6 ± 2.5 years) into two groups using a pre-test/post-test design. Pre-intervention measures taken included participants’ body height, body mass, body fat, capillary blood samples, VO2max, isometric hamstring strength at 45 and 90 degrees of flexion and passive hamstring range of motion. Post-intervention measures included blood biomarkers, passive range of motion, the perceived level of soreness and isometric strength. An analysis of normality of data was initially conducted followed by multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) of hamstring strength at 45 and 90 degrees of flexion, blood myoglobin and passive range of motion of the hamstrings. Statistically significant changes were noted in subject-perceived muscle soreness and isometric strength at 90 degrees at the 24-hour post-exercise trial measure between the two groups. Results would suggest the findings could be explained by the decrease in muscle soreness from utilizing the device during the exercise trial. Further research should be conducted to address sample size issues and to determine if the results are comparable on different surfaces.

Sex Influence on the Functional Recovery Pattern After a Graded Running Race: Original Analysis to Identify the Recovery Profiles

“…At that time, their active resistance to ground impact is likely to have been reduced as indicated by their impaired braking phase in the DJ test at POST. Although information is scarce in the literature regarding the hamstring involvement and fatigue in downhill running, Aldret et al (2017) reported DOMS and a decreased MVC of hamstrings 12 h after a downhill treadmill run. This study included a control group of runners (equipped with an elastic hamstring assistance device) who presented less indirect markers of hamstring damage.…”

Recent Development of Unpowered Exoskeletons for Lower Extremity: A Survey

“…Experimental results showed that XPED2 can reduce the total joint torque by 27.3%. Note that there are also some powered designs inspired by the extracorporeal tendon [69] [70].…”

Effect of a graded running race on lower limb muscle damage, jump performance and muscle soreness in men and women

“…Regarding the hamstring muscle group, Aldret et al 30 . reported that indirect markers of hamstring damage 12 h after a downhill treadmill run were lower in a group of runners equipped of an elastic hamstring assistance device compared to a group of runners without the device.…”

“…The reported protective effect of estrogens is therefore questioned. 15 Regarding the hamstring muscle group, Aldret et al 30 reported that indirect markers of hamstring damage 12 h after a downhill treadmill run were lower in a group of runners equipped of an elastic hamstring assistance device compared to a group of runners without the device. In the present study, inflammation lasted in this muscle group until D3-4.…”