Back In MotionMermaid Beach

Introduction:
 

Hamstring injuries remain a significant injury burden in sports such as soccer that involve high-speed running. It has been identified as the most common noncontact injury in elite male soccer players, representing 12% of all injuries. Hamstring strength directly relates to an athlete’s ability to jump, land and accelerate; as well as playing a significant role in protecting the knee from ligament related injuries. Injury to these structures can equal a long stint on the sideline and may lead to other running related injuries down the track.

Anatomy:

The Hamstring Complex is made up of 3 key muscles:

• The biceps femoris
• The semitendinosus and
• The semimembranosus

The most injured being the biceps femoris muscle – which attaches to the lateral (outside) of the knee.
 

Mechanism:

• Stretch type injuries – example kicking, deceleration.
  • In AFL, a total of 19% of hamstring injuries occur during kicking.
     

• Strength related – example during the act of sprinting.
  

  • Late swing phase (just before the foot strikes the ground)
  • Early stance phase (just as the foot strikes the ground)
     
• Common sports: Soccer and AFL – kicking and sprinting dominant.

Risk factors to Injury:

• Decreased Hamstring / Glute strength
• Decreased fascicle length and size of the hamstring muscle fibers.
• Previous hamstring injury 
• Limited hamstring flexibility
• Increased fatigue 
• Poor core stability 
   

What else could my pain be?

• Avulsion injuries
• Referred neurological pain from the lower back or pelvis – Sciatic / Piriformis.
• Hamstring tendon overuse pain
• Adductor related (groin strains)
• Calf or popliteal strains
• Posterior cruciate ligament sprains
   

Physiotherapy rehabilitation:
 

• Thorough assessment of the spine and lower limb
• Identification of muscular imbalances and strength programs to address these.
• Soft tissue massage
• Acupuncture / dry needling
• Targeted stretching and range of movement progression
• Strength exercises specific to deficits.
• Return to sport/activity exercises.