{"id":7731,"date":"2019-08-30T20:58:57","date_gmt":"2019-08-30T10:58:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/intraining.com.au\/?p=7731"},"modified":"2019-08-30T21:07:24","modified_gmt":"2019-08-30T11:07:24","slug":"hamstringmuscleinjuriesinrunners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev3.dxcoders.com\/index.php\/2019\/08\/30\/hamstringmuscleinjuriesinrunners\/","title":{"rendered":"Hamstring muscle injuries in runners – are you \u2018over the hill\u2019 at 24?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hamstring muscle injuries in runners – are you \u2018over the hill\u2019 at 24?<\/span><\/h1>\n

By Doug James – Physiotherapist and Podiatrist at intraining running injury clinic<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hamstring muscle injuries are well studied in elite footballers. This is partly due to the high prevalence of these injuries in football (soccer) players<\/span>[4,10]<\/span>, but also because of the large financial cost associated with keeping players healthy (soccer superstar Lionel Messi will get paid over $92,000 per day for the next few years<\/span>[1]<\/span>). While this research helps to progress management and treatment of injuries in non-elite athletes, it\u2019s worth noting that there is a key difference in the type of injuries that footballers and distance runners typically develop.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Location matters<\/span><\/h2>\n

Research shows that hamstring muscle injuries typically occur in one of two locations <\/span>[3,4,5,7]<\/span>. In runners, hamstring muscle tears tend to occur in the distal (towards the knee) and mid-portion of the lateral (outside) muscle, whereas footballers tend to develop the injury on the inner part of the upper hamstring.  The difference in injury location is largely due to the different types of movement involved with each sport. Football injuries tend to occur during kicking where the muscle is forcibly overstretched<\/span> [10]<\/span>. By comparison, running injuries tend to occur during higher intensity running efforts where the muscle attempts to maintain length during the swing phase of gait <\/span>[6]<\/span>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Some good news<\/span><\/h2>\n

The good news for runners is that the median recovery time for lateral hamstring injuries (dependant on relative severity) is only half that of medial\/proximal hamstring muscle injuries <\/span>[4]<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2026and some bad news<\/span><\/h2>\n

While runners (with a lateral hamstring injury) can look forward to a speedier return to sport, this injury type tends to have a greater risk of reinjury<\/span> [7] <\/span>with up to one-third of athletes reinjuring the hamstring within a month of returning to sport<\/span>[9]<\/span>. This high reoccurrence rate needs to be factored in when planning the first 4-6 weeks of training after returning from injury.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Risk factors<\/span><\/h2>\n

Given that fast-paced running is a high-risk activity for hamstring muscle injuries, the logical solution would be to avoid it \u2013 though this would be a shame as high-intensity running carries a number of benefits for running performance. Muscle strength imbalance (where the quadriceps (thigh) muscles are far stronger than the hamstrings) also poses a risk. Aside from these, one of the biggest non-modifiable risk factors to getting a hamstring muscle injury is having had a previous hamstring injury<\/span> [2,4,5,6]<\/span>. Changes to the neuromuscular system (muscles and the nerves that supply them) are common after injury and negatively affect how the muscle functions<\/span> [6,7]<\/span>.  Age is the next highest risk factor <\/span>[2,4,5,6,8]<\/span> with the risk increasing for every year past 23 <\/span>[8]<\/span><\/span> \u2013 this may be a confounding finding, as the older you are, the more likely you are to have had a hamstring injury at some point, though there are possible biological reasons as well. As we age, we tend to have a reduction in the flexibility and quality of cartilage in our tendons which may predispose us to a greater risk of injury.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Watch for warning signs<\/span><\/h2>\n

Athletes that develop hamstring muscle injuries often report a feeling of \u2018tightness\u2019 or \u2018tenderness\u2019 in the hamstring shortly before the injury strikes<\/span> [5]<\/span>. While hamstring tightness is a relatively common complaint (nearly everyone I treat complains they have tight hamstrings), noticing tightness on one side only is a particular concern. Have stiffness in your lower back or hips should also be treated with caution. In these cases, it would be wise not to undertake high intensity running such as speed work, hill running or races until these symptoms have been addressed.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Prevention helps (somewhat)<\/span><\/h2>\n

A large number of football-focussed studies show that hamstring strength training in the offseason can help reduce the burden and occurrence of hamstring muscle injuries during the competition period, though not completely. While this concept can translate to runners, a different series of exercises are required. Running technique can also play a role in the development of hamstring muscle injuries. Overstriding (landing on your foot too far in front of your body) is a fairly easily modified risk factor, though more difficult to control at higher speeds.<\/span><\/p>\n

What to do if injury strikes?<\/span><\/h2>\n

A hamstring muscle injury can feel like anything from a sensation of tightness (Grade 1\/mild injury) to a strong sharp debilitating pain (Grade 2-3\/more severe injuries), and in the less severe cases, it\u2019s often tempting to stretch your hamstring and return to running. In cases where a muscle tear exists, these actions can greatly increase the amount of damage and likely recovery time \u2013 from what may have been a few days rest, to several months off (and possibly surgery). <\/span><\/p>\n

As per most injuries, rest and ice packs can greatly aid your recovery in the early days. Avoiding stretching is imperative to preventing further damage and early treatment usually results in faster recovery. Seeing a physiotherapist or sports podiatrist will help you to diagnose the type of hamstring injury (location and possible severity) based on the history and clinical examination. Scans, particularly MRI, can be helpful but are usually not necessary and are unable to accurately determine the amount of recovery time needed <\/span>[12]<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The road to recovery<\/span><\/h2>\n

Hamstring muscle injuries require a considered approach for proper rehabilitation. World-renowned Sports Physician Peter Brukner proposes a seven-part management plan<\/span> [8]<\/span> addressing the following areas: <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n