Running injuries and hamstring and quadriceps weakness and balance: A case‐control study in male runners

Abstract

This is a case‐control study on the relationship between strength of the hamstrings and quadriceps muscle and running injuries. Sixteen male runners, who had sustained a medically treated running injury during the year prior to this study, were matched for weekly running distance and age with 16 male noninjured control runners. All subjects were fit at the time of measurement. Hamstring (H) and quadriceps (Q) strength torque was measured isometrically at knee angles of 45° and 60°, respectively. The absolute torque value was used to analyze the difference in strength between muscles in injured subjects. The torque value relative to body weight was used to analyze the difference between injured and noninjured runners. Also the H/Q ratio was calculated. In injured subjects all measurements showed no significant (p >0.05) difference between the injured and noninjured side of the body. A previously injured runner showed a trend to have a higher isometric H and Q torque value relative to body weight in compari...