Abstract
Introduction: Eccentric hamstring strength declines with age and contributes to mobility limitations. Although Nordbord testing quantifies eccentric strength, few studies have examined it in older adults, and none have predicted strength performance on this test using ultrasound or survey- based measures. Methods: We recruited 122 senior athletes (60 female) at the 2024 Huntsman World Senior Games. Ultrasound-derived cross-sectional area (CSA), echogenicity, and subcutaneous fat thickness, along with demographic and activity data, were used to predict single-leg peak force using Bayesian regression. Models were sex-stratified, and predictors were selected using leave-one-out cross-validation (LOO IC). Results: In males, CSA, age, leg side, vigorous hours, and a CSA— vigorous hours interaction predicted peak force (LOO IC: 173.7 ± 23.0). In females, age, CSA, and three interactions (e.g., age— walking hours) were retained (LOO IC: 134.6 ± 22.3). RMSE was 95.4 N (males) and 78.5 N (females). Discussion: Models showed acceptable accuracy, but substantial unexplained variance suggests missing physiological predictors. Notably, echogenicity and activity interactions were meaningful only in females. Conclusion: Ultrasound and survey data predicted eccentric hamstring strength in active older adults. These tools may offer scalable, low-burden alternatives to physical testing in future aging research.
Degree
MS
College and Department
Life Sciences; Exercise Sciences
Rights
https://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Hinkle, Lee J., "Predicting Single-Leg Eccentric Hamstrings Strength in Aging Athletes Using Diagnostic Ultrasound- and Survey-Derived Parameters" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 11314.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/11314
Date Submitted
2025-06-18
Document Type
Thesis
Permanent Link
https://arks.lib.byu.edu/ark:/34234/q20d9ddc28
Keywords
ultrasound, hamstrings, aging, athletic performance
Language
english