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CC BY 4.0 · Int J Sports Med
DOI: 10.1055/a-2537-6350
Training & Testing

Evaluating the optimal height for hamstring activity in the maximum-speed single-leg bridge test

Yuto Sano 
1   Physical Therapy for Sports and Musculoskeletal System, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Sagamihara, Japan
2   Department of Rehabilitation, Yokohama Sports Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan
,
Masashi Kawabata  ‡
1   Physical Therapy for Sports and Musculoskeletal System, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Sagamihara, Japan
3   Department of Sports Medicine, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Sagamihara, Japan (Ringgold ID: RIN89285)
3   Department of Sports Medicine, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Sagamihara, Japan (Ringgold ID: RIN89285)
,
Yuki Sumiya
1   Physical Therapy for Sports and Musculoskeletal System, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Sagamihara, Japan
,
Yuto Watanabe
1   Physical Therapy for Sports and Musculoskeletal System, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Sagamihara, Japan
,
Yuto Uchida  ‡
1   Physical Therapy for Sports and Musculoskeletal System, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Sagamihara, Japan
,
Tomoaki Inada
1   Physical Therapy for Sports and Musculoskeletal System, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Sagamihara, Japan
,
Masaki Murase
3   Department of Sports Medicine, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Sagamihara, Japan (Ringgold ID: RIN89285)
,
Tomonori Kenmoku 
4   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan (Ringgold ID: RIN38088)
,
Hiroyuki Watanabe 
1   Physical Therapy for Sports and Musculoskeletal System, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Sagamihara, Japan
3   Department of Sports Medicine, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Sagamihara, Japan (Ringgold ID: RIN89285)
3   Department of Sports Medicine, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Sagamihara, Japan (Ringgold ID: RIN89285)
,
Naonobu Takahira 
1   Physical Therapy for Sports and Musculoskeletal System, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Sagamihara, Japan
3   Department of Sports Medicine, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Sagamihara, Japan (Ringgold ID: RIN89285)
3   Department of Sports Medicine, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Sagamihara, Japan (Ringgold ID: RIN89285)
› Author AffiliationsSupported by: Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Graduate Student Project Research No. 2024-B07
Supported by: Kitasato University School of Allied Health Science, Grant-in-Aid for Research Project No. 2024-1027
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Abstract

Hamstring strain injuries often occur during high-speed movements; yet, no functional test reliably induces rapid hamstring contractions. This study aimed to determine the optimal platform height in the maximum-speed single-leg bridge test to maximize hamstring activation. This cross-sectional study included 26 healthy male recreational athletes. Participants performed the maximum-speed single-leg bridge test using 20, 40, and 60 cm platforms at a maximal speed. The conventional single-leg bridge test was performed using a 60 cm platform at any speed. Measurements included buttock-raising speed; muscle activity of the semitendinosus, biceps femoris, and gluteus maximus using surface electromyography; and heel-bearing force. The maximum-speed single-leg bridge test showed significantly faster buttock-raising speeds (0.7–1.0 m/s) than the single-leg bridge test (0.5 m/s; p<0.01). Semitendinosus and biceps femoris muscle activities were significantly higher during the maximum-speed single-leg bridge test using 60 and 40 cm platforms (>90% maximal voluntary isometric contraction) than during the single-leg bridge test and the maximum-speed single-leg bridge test using a 20 cm platform (p<0.01). Gluteus maximus muscle activity during the maximum-speed single-leg bridge test was approximately double than that during the single-leg bridge test (p<0.01). The heel-bearing force was significantly higher during the maximum-speed single-leg bridge test than during the single-leg bridge test, and the maximum-speed single-leg bridge test using the 40 cm platform showed the highest force (p<0.01). The maximum-speed single-leg bridge test using 40 and 60 platforms required higher hamstring activity, with faster buttock-raising speeds and greater heel-bearing force than the single-leg bridge test and the maximum-speed single-leg bridge test using the 20 platform.

Keywords

electromyography - hamstring strain injury - prevention - rehabilitation - return to sports


Publication History

Received: 29 October 2024

Accepted after revision: 11 February 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
11 February 2025

Article published online:
19 March 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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