Hamstring Strain

What is a Hamstring Strain?

During sprinting activities in football the Hamstring muscles can be forcibly stretched beyond their limits and the muscle tissue can be torn. A tear in a muscle is referred to as a strain and, depending on its severity, it is classified as a first, second or third degree strain.

Hamstring muscle strains accounted for almost 40% of Premiership injuries in the 2004/2005 season. The Hamstring muscles work over both the hip and knee joint and can become susceptible to injury due to fatigue.

Getting a hamstring strain is also more likely if:

• You don't warm up and stretch before exercising.

• The muscles in the front of your thigh (the quadriceps) are a lot stronger than your hamstrings.

• You're a teenager going through a growth spurt.

What can you do to prevent a Hamstring Strain?

A warm up, prior to matches and training, is thought to decrease muscle injuries because the muscle is more extensible when the tissue temperature has been increased by one or two degrees. A good warm up should last at least 20 minutes - starting gently and finishing at full pace activity. Practising sport specific activities helps tune coordination and prepare mentally for football.

We recommend warm pants to provide extra warmth around the Hamstring region.

What should you do if you suffer a Hamstring Strain injury?

The immediate treatment of any muscle injury consists of the RICE protocol - rest, ice and compression and elevation (never apply ice directly to the skin). All injuries should be reviewed by a doctor or one of our qualified physiotherapeutic. Depending upon the severity of the Hamstring injury, the leg must be rested from sporting activity for between a couple of weeks and 3 months.

Practise stretching and strengthning exerices if your doctor recommends them. Strengthening your hamstrings is the best protection against hamstring strain.