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Therapeutic exercise in the treatment of Grade I-II hamstring muscle strains
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Therapeutic exercise in the treatment of Grade I-II hamstring muscle strains

Aaron Turner
Journal of Australian Strength & Conditioning, Vol.26(7), pp.61-69
2018
url
https://www.strengthandconditioning.org/jasc-26-7View
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Abstract

Human Movement and Sports Science Exercise hamstring strain tear treatment
Hamstring muscle strains, and associated reinjury rates, have a considerable impact on athletes by reducing their time in training and competition, as well as causing a significant financial impact on professional sporting teams. By critically reviewing the literature, including a total of five randomised clinical trials, the primary aim of this paper was to determine the current best practice for the use of therapeutic exercise in the treatment of grade I-II hamstring muscle strains in athletes. The secondary aim was to identify gaps in the research, ultimately providing a basis for future research in this area. The findings from the present paper highlighted that interventions involving strengthening exercises with a greater emphasis on hamstring muscle elongation (taking the hamstring closer to eccentric end range of motion) appeared to be superior for reducing reinjury rates in footballer players and track and field athletes. In addition, the exclusive use of hamstring muscle stretching as a treatment had the fastest return to full sport participation in sprinters; however, it is unknown how effective this treatment is in reducing reinjury rates. Considering that hamstring muscle strains result in greater risk of subsequent strains, it is recommended that coaches select a rehabilitation protocol that has demonstrated a reduction in this risk. Therefore, the present paper recommends that interventions involving strengthening exercises with a greater emphasis on hamstring muscle elongation be applied.

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