Tanya Andrews Physiotherapy
Hamstring Injuries
Hamstring Injuries
Hamstring injuries are often associated with sports involving rapid acceleration and maximum speed running, such as sprinting, football and cricket. A cricket fast bowler, for instance, may suffer the injury as the hamstring contracts to slow the body down after releasing the ball.
The hamstring muscle group is made up of the semitendinosus and the semimembranosus (the inner - medial - side of the posterior thigh) and the biceps femoris on the posterior thigh.
The classic hamstring strain occurs in the biceps femoris, about two-thirds of the way down the back of the thigh.
Risk Factors in Hamstring Injuries
Multiple factors can contribute to hamstring injuries and re-injury rates are high. The risk factors include:
- Muscle strength and balance. Hamstrings appear to be more prone to injury when they are less than 60% as strong as the quadriceps (front of the thigh).
- Not warming-up.
- Fatigue. Fatigued muscles are more susceptible to overstretch injury. Flexibility. One of the primary reasons for a hamstring injury is relative inflexibility in the hamstrings and lower back.
- Sports specific activities – such as rapid acceleration, particularly in fast bowling and sprinting.
