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September 10, 2026Journal of Sports Sciences

Differential muscle activation patterns and kinematics during the nordic hamstring exercise and the maximum-speed single-leg bridge test

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Authors

YSYuto SanoYokohama City University Medical CenterMKMasashi KawabataJikei University School of MedicineBHBas Van HoorenMaastricht University Medical Centre

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Overview

Cross-sectional study demonstrates higher hamstring activation and sprint-like kinematics during the single-leg bridge in male athletes, indicating improved alignment with sprinting demands.

Key Points

  • Compare muscle activation, joint kinematics, and muscle-tendon unit lengths between the Maximum-Speed Single-Leg Bridge Test and the Nordic Hamstring Exercise to evaluate correspondence with sprinting mechanics.
  • Conducted a cross-sectional study evaluating 17 healthy male recreational athletes.
  • Measured muscle activation (semitendinosus, biceps femoris, gluteus maximus, medial gastrocnemius, rectus femoris), hip and knee kinematics, external force, and estimated muscle-tendon unit lengths during both exercises, comparing them against published sprint data.
  • The Maximum-Speed Single-Leg Bridge Test elicited higher peak activation than the Nordic Hamstring Exercise in the semitendinosus (109% vs. 82%MVIC) and biceps femoris (104% vs. 88%MVIC).
  • Peak hamstring activation and external force during the bridge test occurred at longer muscle-tendon unit lengths than during the Nordic exercise.
  • Joint angles during peak bridge loading (approximately 40° hip flexion and 35° knee flexion) closely mirrored the late swing phase of sprinting.

Cite This Study

Sano et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa27ba958559d80afc74ffchttps://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2026.2730726
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