Abstract
Hamstring injuries are common in running and sprinting sports and have a high recurrence rate. Prevention and management of these injuries has focused on traditional outcomes of strength, flexibility and endurance. The aim of this review is to explore the stabilising function of the hamstring muscle group, described as increasing the stiffness of the sacro-iliac and the knee joints during weight acceptance of stance. Loss of stability of segments proximal or distal to the hamstring muscles may lead to altered muscle recruitment, potentially increasing the loading of this muscle group and, thereby, posing an increased injury risk. Intrinsic risk factors to be considered are previous knee, groin or lumbopelvic injuries; extrinsic factors include footwear and training surfaces. The effect of physiotherapy interventions on the stabilising function of the hamstrings needs to be investigated. Such research will contribute to a clearer understanding of the reasons for the high injury recurrence rate of this muscle group.
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