Role of the Nordic Hamstring Exercise in Football Players: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) remain one of the most common and burdensome injuries in football (soccer), with substantial time-loss and high recurrence rates. Over the past decade the Nordic Hamstring Exercise (NHE) has become widely studied as a targeted eccentric training intervention to reduce HSI incidence, increase.
eccentric knee-flexor strength, and alter muscle architecture. This narrative review synthesises evidence from the last 10 years (2015–2025) on the effectiveness, mechanisms, performance effects, implementation barriers, and practical prescription of the NHE in football players. Literature from peer-reviewed journals demonstrates that NHE improves eccentric hamstring strength, increases fascicle length, and significantly lowers injury incidence when performed consistently. Despite strong evidence, adoption in professional football remains inconsistent due to perceived barriers such as soreness, time constraints, and lack of coaching support. The review concludes that consistent implementation of a progressive NHE programme can markedly reduce hamstring injury risk in football, improve muscular resilience, and enhance player longevity.
Practical recommendations for coaches and clinicians are provided.