Hamstring Strains: Basic Science and Clinical Research Applications for Preventing the Recurrent Injury

HAMSTRING INJURIES OCCUR FREQUENTLY, WITH A HIGH RECURRENCE RATE, IN SPORTS THAT REQUIRE EITHER HIGH-SPEED SKILLED MOVEMENTS OR EXCESSIVE HIP FLEXION WITH KNEE EXTENSION. A PREVIOUS HAMSTRING INJURY IS THE GREATEST RISK FACTOR FOR A FUTURE HAMSTRING INJURY, WHICH HAS LED SPORTS MEDICINE PROFESSIONALS TO SEARCH FOR IMPROVED POSTINJURY REHABILITATION STRATEGIES. ATHLETES MAY SHOW POSTINJURY STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE MUSCLE-TENDON UNIT AND BE AT RISK FOR REINJURY FOR UP TO A YEAR AFTER RETURN TO SPORT. UNDERSTANDING THE POSTINJURY CHANGES CAN HELP CREATE PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS FOR APPROPRIATE RECONDITIONING AND SPORTS PERFORMANCE PROGRAMS.