Risk factors for hamstring injury

Risk Factors

The causes of hamstring injuries are complicated and multifactorial

• in general, a distinction in risk factors has been made between so-called intrinsic (person-related) and extrinsic (environment-related) risk factors
  • intrinsic factors include
    • previous hamstring injury
    • hamstring muscle weakness
    • strength imbalances
    • fatigue
    • inadequate flexibility
    • body mechanics and disturbed posture
    • poor running technique and psychosocial factors
      
      
  • extrinsic factors include
    • unsatisfactory warm-up and training procedures
    • fatigue related to enforced excessive activity
    • poor playing surfaces and unsuitable training and sports specific activities

It is considered that it is not solely hamstring weakness which increases a risk for hamstring injuries, but also a muscular imbalance, or strength deficiency between the hamstring and quadriceps muscle groups; often considered as a quadriceps to hamstring ratio.

Reference:

• Hoskins W, Pollard H. The management of hamstring injury-Part 1: Issues in diagnosis. Man Ther. 2005 May;10(2):96-107.