Measuring eccentric hamstring strength in senior athletes: reference values, age and sex associations, and limb asymmetry.
5 affiliations
- 1Neuromuscular Physiology Lab, Department of Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States.
- 2Rehabilitation Imaging & Performance Laboratory, Department of Exercise Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States.
- 3Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Operations, University of Utah School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.
- 4Department of Athletic Training and Occupational Therapy, Dumke College of Health Professions, Weber State University, Ogden, UT, United States.
- 5Department of Gerontology, College of Family, Home and Social Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States.
Abstract
Participation in Masters sport has increased; however, reference eccentric hamstring strength values are unavailable. Instrumented Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) testing is used in younger athletes, but reports for senior athletes are lacking. Establish sex-stratified reference values for senior athletes. Secondary aims examined associations with age, sex, and inter-limb asymmetry. This study included 203 senior athletes (100 female) and measured eccentric hamstring strength during testing. Absolute peak force, relative peak force, and limb asymmetry were calculated. Mean unilateral absolute peak force was 156 N in females and 242 N in males, corresponding to relative values of 2.46 N/kg and 2.99 N/kg, respectively. Males demonstrated greater absolute peak force (mean difference: 85.6 95% CI 70.2 to 100.9; d = 1.54, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.85) and greater relative peak force (mean difference: 0.53N/kg, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.73; d = 0.76, 95% CI 0.47 to 1.04). Increasing age was associated with lower absolute peak force (-2.10 N/year, 95% CI -3.09 to -1.11) and lower relative peak force (-0.020 N/kg/year, 95% CI -0.033 to -0.008). Mean asymmetry was 11.6 ± 8.8% (75th percentile: 16.1%). Asymmetry was not significantly associated with age or sex. This study provides the first reference eccentric hamstring strength values for senior athletes. Male athletes demonstrated greater absolute and relative strength than females, whereas increasing age was associated with lower strength despite high physical activity levels. Common asymmetry thresholds may overclassify high-functioning senior athletes as having concerning inter-limb asymmetry, highlighting the need for population-specific interpretation.
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BibTeX
@article{hinkle2026measuring,
title = {{Measuring eccentric hamstring strength in senior athletes: reference values, age and sex associations, and limb asymmetry.}},
author = {Lee J Hinkle and James D Mead and Emma A Merrill and Joshua K Sponbeck and Ron Hager and A Wayne Johnson},
journal = {Frontiers in sports and active living},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fspor.2026.1933413},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42953692},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Measuring eccentric hamstring strength in senior athletes: reference values, age and sex associations, and limb asymmetry.
AU - Lee J Hinkle
AU - James D Mead
AU - Emma A Merrill
AU - Joshua K Sponbeck
AU - Ron Hager
AU - A Wayne Johnson
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/14
JO - Frontiers in sports and active living
DO - 10.3389/fspor.2026.1933413
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42953692
AB - Participation in Masters sport has increased; however, reference eccentric hamstring strength values are unavailable. Instrumented Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) testing is used in younger athletes, but reports for senior athletes are lacking. Establish sex-stratified reference values for senior athletes. Secondary aims examined associations with age, sex, and inter-limb asymmetry. This study included 203 senior athletes (100 female) and measured eccentric hamstring strength during testing. Absolute peak force, relative peak force, and limb asymmetry were calculated. Mean unilateral absolute peak force was 156 N in females and 242 N in males, corresponding to relative values of 2.46 N/kg and 2.99 N/kg, respectively. Males demonstrated greater absolute peak force (mean difference: 85.6 95% CI 70.2 to 100.9; d = 1.54, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.85) and greater relative peak force (mean difference: 0.53N/kg, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.73; d = 0.76, 95% CI 0.47 to 1.04). Increasing age was associated with lower absolute peak force (-2.10 N/year, 95% CI -3.09 to -1.11) and lower relative peak force (-0.020 N/kg/year, 95% CI -0.033 to -0.008). Mean asymmetry was 11.6 ± 8.8% (75th percentile: 16.1%). Asymmetry was not significantly associated with age or sex. This study provides the first reference eccentric hamstring strength values for senior athletes. Male athletes demonstrated greater absolute and relative strength than females, whereas increasing age was associated with lower strength despite high physical activity levels. Common asymmetry thresholds may overclassify high-functioning senior athletes as having concerning inter-limb asymmetry, highlighting the need for population-specific interpretation.
SN - 2624-9367
ER -