Overview of hamstring strains

1
Overview of hamstring strains

• John Orchard
• September 2003
• www.injuryupdate.com.au

2
Hamstring injuries

• No. 1 injury in AFL footballers, sprinters and
  soccer players
• More common in rugby backs than forwards
• Uncommon in court sport players

3
Speed is the major cause

• 100m sprinters reach full speed at 30-40m mark,
  which is when hamstring strains most commonly
  occur in a race
• The team sports where players often run for gt10m
  are those where hamstring strains occur
• Bending forwards and over-striding implicated as
  well

4
Typical position during strain
5
Known risk factors

• Age definitely
• Past history of injury definitely
• Race aboriginal players more likely (?due to
  role in game)
• Hamstring-quadriceps ratio most likely a factor
  but may not be reversible
• Ground conditions not a factor

6
Risk of re-strain in AFL
7
Hamstring prevalence by team
8
Relevant conditioning factors?

• Afternoon sprint or skills sessions after morning
  weights sessions.
• Amount of hamstring-specific strengthening type
  (eccentric only, leg curls, dead lifts).
• Amount of sprint work versus aerobic work in the
  pre-season.
• Aggressive versus conservative return.