Lengthening Exercises For Hamstring Strains

A study at The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences compared two rehabilitation protocols (L-protocol emphasizing lengthening exercises and C-protocol consisting of conventional exercises) for acute hamstring injuries in Swedish elite sprinters and jumpers. In particular it focused on the time required to return to full training.

Fifty-six athletes with acute hamstring injuries verified by MRI were randomly assigned to either the L-protocol or C-protocol. The primary outcome was the number of days to return to full training, and reinjuries were monitored for 12 months after return.

Athletes following the L-protocol returned significantly faster (mean 49 days) compared to those on the C-protocol (mean 86 days). Injuries involving the proximal free tendon took longer to recover, regardless of the protocol (L-protocol: mean 73 vs. 31 days, C-protocol: mean 116 vs. 63 days). Two reinjuries occurred, both in the C-protocol group.

The rehabilitation protocol emphasizing lengthening exercises proved more effective in reducing the time to return to training for Swedish elite sprinters and jumpers compared to a protocol with conventional exercises.

Askling CM, Tengvar M, Tarassova O, et al. Acute hamstring injuries in Swedish elite sprinters and jumpers: a prospective randomised controlled clinical trial comparing two rehabilitation protocols. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2014;48:532-539.

Hamstring Injuries In Professional Football

The study aimed to conduct a detailed analysis of hamstring injuries in English professional football over two seasons. Injury data from 91 professional football clubs were collected using an injury audit questionnaire and a weekly…

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