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Risk factors for hamstring injury

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

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:

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