Mechanism of hamstring strain injuries in sports: A narrative review

Abstract

Hamstring strain injury (HSI) is one of the most frequent injuries among athletes in several sports. The high rate of recurrence of this injury advocates that our current understanding of HSI and the risk of its recurrence is incomplete. HSIs are multifaceted and have numerous mechanisms. Having an insight into the injury mechanisms helps determine the severity of the injury, validate clinical practice, manage progress, and prevent occurrence and recurrence of injuries. Hamstring muscles are essential in generating force and controlling the body during running and sprinting activities. It is the force generator in propulsion, swinging leg decelerator, and shock-absorber when impacting the ground. The HIS mechanisms are several, but highlighting the important interaction between different parts (the core and extremities) and systems (the neuromuscular and musculoskeletal) of the body and the effect of having such interaction impaired. The HIS recurrence mechanisms highlight the impact of the residual and persistent risk factors and their ways to help the HIS to reoccur.