Sports Injury Prevention

The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to compare the effects of Nordic Hamstring Exercise (NHE) and Blood Flow Restriction-assisted Nordic Hamstring Exercise (BFR-NHE) on hamstring muscle strength, muscle morphology, and functional performance in elite adolescent female pole vaulters. Thirty-six athletes aged 12-18 years will be randomly assigned to a Nordic Hamstring Exercise group, a Blood Flow Restriction-assisted Nordic Hamstring Exercise group, or a control group. Intervention groups will participate in supervised exercise training three times per week for eight weeks, while the control group will continue routine sports training. Outcomes will be assessed before and after the intervention period.

This study aims to identify injury risk factors using a clinical/functional test battery in university basketball and volleyball athletes, to develop individualized exercise prescriptions for athletes scoring below established cut-off values on each test, and to evaluate the effects of an 8-week intervention program on test parameters. As a secondary aim, all participants will be monitored prospectively over a 6-month season to assess the incidence of injuries and health problems, and to evaluate the contribution of the individualized program to injury-related health outcomes. The study consists of four phases: (1) baseline cross-sectional assessment (T0), (2) 8-week individualized exercise intervention for athletes below cut-off thresholds, (3) post-intervention reassessment (T1), and (4) 6-month prospective injury surveillance (T2).