PTCohortInternational journal of sports physical therapy2025

The Effect of Single Leg Romanian Deadlift on the Risk of Hamstring Strain Injuries in Track and Field Athletes: A Cohort Study.

Ryo Otani, Hideo Nishikawa, Shigeaki Matsunaga and 2 others

PMID 40322523

WHAT IT FOUND

Adding single-leg Romanian deadlift to warm-up was associated with lower risk of mild to moderate hamstring strains in high school track athletes.

Severe strains did not show a reduction, and compliance was high.

Key findings

01Adding the single-leg Romanian deadlift to the usual warm-up was associated with reduced mild to moderate hamstring strain risk, with a risk ratio of 0.34 and a 95% confidence interval of 0.12 to 0.94.

02Severe hamstring strain injury risk was not significantly reduced, with a risk ratio of 2.84 and a 95% confidence interval of 0.30 to 27.28.

03Athletes reported doing the single-leg Romanian deadlift 5.92 exercise sessions per week, and compliance was 98.67%.

STILL TO COME

How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs

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What it does not show

The study was observational, and athletes were not randomly selected for the control or intervention seasons. All data came from one high school track and field team, so other seasonal or team factors may have affected the result. Coaches and athletic trainers checked that the exercise was performed but did not record how many repetitions each athlete completed. The single-leg Romanian deadlift used body weight, so intensity was inconsistent among athletes. The severe injury estimate was imprecise, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.30 to 27.28. Athletes with a history of hamstring strain injury were excluded, so the result does not address athletes with prior hamstring strain injury.

Declared interests

The authors reported no conflicts of interest.

The easy way to misread this

Do not conclude that single-leg Romanian deadlift prevents severe hamstring strains or replaces Nordic hamstring exercise. The severe strain risk ratio was 2.84, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.30 to 27.28.

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