Despite the frequency of hamstring injuries, the mechanisms behind them and effective prevention strategies remain unclear. Researchers from the Mobilize Center collaborated on two recent studies that offer new insights on hamstring injury prevention.
In the first study, researchers explored the effects of nine weeks of Nordic hamstring exercises – a popular training method aimed at preventing hamstring strains – on the muscle structure of 12 participants. Utilizing a novel microendoscopy technique developed at Stanford University, the team showed that sarcomeres got added in series to existing sarcomeres over that time period, which could decrease the amount of stretch each sarcomere experiences and protect muscle fibers from overstretching. The study is published in the Journal of Sport and Health Science.
Another strategy for preventing hamstring injuries involves monitoring exposure to high-speed running. While hamstring injuries have been linked to running at high speeds, a second study, published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, reveals that hamstrings stretch to greater lengths and at faster speeds during acceleration from lower running speeds compared to maintaining a constant top speed. This may explain why hamstring strain injuries often occur during acceleration.
