Physical function at the time to return to sports after hamstring injury ―A comparison by injury type―

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the period to return to sports after hamstring injury, muscle strength, and flexibility at the time to return to sports compared by injury type.

The participants were 33 patients who were diagnosed with a hamstring injury based on magnetic resonance imaging findings and followed up until returning to sports.

According to the Japan Institute of Sports Science classification, they were classified into Type I (muscle fiber injury) and Type II (tear of the tendon plate).

The evaluation variables included the period from examination to sports beginning (sports beginning period),period from examination to returning to sports (sports returning period), isokinetic knee flexion muscle strength (180̊/sec, 60̊/sec), Straight Leg Rising (SLR), and Active Knee Extension Test (AKET) at the time to begin sports.

Type I was significantly shorter than Type II in both the sports beginning and returning periods (p＜0.05,p＜0.01).

There were no significant differences in isokinetic knee flexion muscle strength, SLR, and AKET between the two groups.

The time to return to sports after hamstring injury differed depending on the injury type. Furthermore, muscle strength and flexibility improved regardless of the injury type.