Healthy hamstrings key to staying in the action this indoor soccer season

By Mark J. Triffon, M.D.

As indoor soccer games are gearing up this winter, so is the frequency of players’ hamstring injuries. Coming in from cold weather and being less active during winter months, hamstring muscles are rarely warmed up enough to endure the aggressive spurt of sprints and cuts associated with indoor soccer. Consequently, many players’ indoor seasons are cut short due to painful hamstring injuries.

The most frequently injured muscle group, the hamstring muscles are located in the back of your

thigh, crossing both your hip and knee joint. The hamstrings are comprised of three muscles—the

semitendinosus, semimembranosus and the biceps femoris. Your hamstrings’ function is to extend

the hip and flex the knee. The hamstrings also help “slow” the leg during activity.

Hamstring muscle injuries most commonly result from: poor warm-up; poor flexibility and

stretching; muscle fatigue and imbalance; overuse; incorrect technique or bad posture.

Signs of a hamstring injury may include mild tightness and tenderness within the muscle. In

serious cases, a complete, violent traumatic rupture occurs, followed by massive swelling and large

bruises.

Depending on the severity of your injury, treatment for hamstring injuries ranges from wrapping

the muscles with an ace bandage and resting them; using crutches and anti-inflammatories; and

undergoing physical therapy including ultrasound.

Surgery is rarely necessary, except in cases when the tendons are torn from the bone. If you suffer a

hamstring injury, seek medical attention. Hamstring injuries can become chronic if not treated

properly.

Remember, proper training is always the best way to prevent hamstring injuries from

occurring. Ask your trainer or sports medicine specialist about developing a proper stretching and

strengthening routine to keep your muscles healthy and strong on the field.