A study at the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences compared two rehabilitation protocols for acute hamstring injuries in Swedish elite sprinters and jumpers. The L-protocol emphasised lengthening exercises, while the C-protocol used conventional exercises. The study focused on the time required to return to full training.
Fifty-six athletes with MRI-confirmed hamstring injuries were randomly assigned to either the L-protocol or the C-protocol. The primary outcome was the number of days to return to full training. The researchers also monitored reinjuries for 12 months after return.
Athletes who followed the L-protocol returned significantly faster, with a mean of 49 days compared to 86 days in the C-protocol group. However, injuries involving the proximal free tendon took longer to recover in both groups. For example, recovery times were longer regardless of the protocol used.
In addition, two reinjuries occurred, both in the C-protocol group.
Overall, the rehabilitation protocol that emphasised lengthening exercises was more effective at reducing the time to return to training than conventional exercise programmes.
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.
