The biomechanics of running in athletes with previous hamstring injury: A case-control study.
Hamstring injury is prevalent with persistently high reinjury rates. We aim to inform hamstring rehabilitation by exploring the electromyographic and kinematic characteristics of running in athletes with previous hamstring injury. Nine elite male Gaelic games athletes who had returned to sport after hamstring injury and eight closely matched controls sprinted while lower limb kinematics and muscle activity of the previously injured biceps femoris, bilateral gluteus maximus, lumbar erector spinae, rectus femoris, and external oblique were recorded. Intergroup comparisons of muscle activation ratios and kinematics were performed. Previously injured athletes demonstrated significantly reduced biceps femoris muscle activation ratios with respect to ipsilateral gluteus maximus (maximum difference -12.5%, P = 0.03), ipsilateral erector spinae (maximum difference -12.5%, P = 0.01), ipsilateral external oblique (maximum difference -23%, P = 0.01), and contralateral rectus femoris (maximum difference -22%, P = 0.02) in the late swing phase. We also detected sagittal asymmetry in hip flexion (maximum 8°, P = 0.01), pelvic tilt (maximum 4°, P = 0.02), and medial rotation of the knee (maximum 6°, P = 0.03) effectively putting the hamstrings in a lengthened position just before heel strike. Previous hamstring injury is associated with altered biceps femoris associated muscle activity and potentially injurious kinematics. These deficits should be considered and addressed during rehabilitation.
Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, William Harvey Research Institute, Bart's and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Mile End Hospital, Queen Mary University of London, London, U.K.
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http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3704-0252
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Daly
School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Population Science, Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
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Persson
Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, William Harvey Research Institute, Bart's and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Mile End Hospital, Queen Mary University of London, London, U.K.
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Twycross-Lewis
Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, William Harvey Research Institute, Bart's and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Mile End Hospital, Queen Mary University of London, London, U.K.
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Woledge
Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, William Harvey Research Institute, Bart's and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Mile End Hospital, Queen Mary University of London, London, U.K.
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Morrissey
D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
Neuro-inhibition; biomechanical analysis; running gait