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Where to next for hamstrings? A biomechanical and anatomical perspective
  1. Claire Kenneally-Dabrowski1,
  2. Benjamin G Serpell2,3,4
  1. 1 Centre for Sport Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
  2. 2 Geelong Cats, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
  3. 3 School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
  4. 4 University of Canberra Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia
  1. Correspondence to Dr Claire Kenneally-Dabrowski, Centre for Sport Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood 3125, Australia; claire.kenneallydabrowski{at}deakin.edu.au

https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2023-107274

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    In recent years, there has been rising interest and debate on the importance of addressing running mechanics for preventing running-related hamstring injury. It is a logical and intriguing avenue of research given the high prevalence of such injuries. In theory, lower-limb mechanics directly relate to hamstring musculotendinous demands when running—the relative positions of the hip and knee joints, and pelvic tilt, will determine the hamstring muscle–tendon unit (MTU) lengths. Notably, hamstring MTUs during running are subject to large strain and force during late swing. However, there is a paucity of research prospectively investigating the relationship between running mechanics, or hamstring MTU dynamics, and injury, likely because it is challenging to prospectively obtain large samples of data from injured athletes.

    Assessing running mechanics

    To better understand the relationship between running mechanics and hamstring injury, it can be useful to examine multiple case studies (or case series), the advantage being they offer constructive observation(s) towards novel concepts in ecologically valid contexts. Schuermans et al 1 found that four injured soccer players displayed greater anterior pelvic tilt during mid-swing and greater thoracic lateral flexion during the late swing phase of sprinting. Similarly, in a study of three rugby players2 who subsequently sustained hamstring injuries, a tendency for greater thoracic lateral flexion during the late swing phase as well as greater knee power absorption and hip extension moments was observed. As noted earlier, given the attachment sites of …

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    Footnotes

    • Twitter @ClaireKD_, @serpell_ben

    • Contributors Both BGS and CK-D contributed equally to the conceptualisation and preparation of this manuscript including writing, reviewing and submission.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.