AT the start of the Boys’ and Girls’ Athlethics Championships season, TEENage Observer wants to give young athletes important tips on how to deal with injuries.

1 What is a pulled hamstring or hamstring strain?

A hamstring strain is an injury to the muscle in the back of the thigh.

2 What causes hamstring injuries? (How is/can the hamstring be strained?)

Hamstring injuries commonly occur in non-contact sports (track and field, soccer, basketball, etc). Injury is often seen at the musculotendinous junction during eccentric contractions (lengthening of a muscle as it contracts), when the muscle is stretched beyond its capacity, or when a muscle is faced with a sudden load.

3 What is the function of the hamstrings?

Hamstrings are composed of three muscles and are responsible for flexing the knee and extending the hips.

4 What role do the muscles play in athletic activity?

Hamstrings are the counter balance to the quadriceps muscle. They help provide strength and power during athletic activity.

5 What can athletes do to treat a pulled hamstring or hamstring strain?

Treatment of a hamstring injury depends on how severe a strain an athlete has. Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (RICE) are the main stay of treatment in the early stage of a hamstring injury. After three to seven days, progressive range of motion exercises should be introduced. Anti-inflammatory medications can be used to decrease pain and inflammation. Intensive physical therapy is often necessary for moderate strains. Corticosteroid injections can be used for severe strains. Surgical intervention may be indicated if the hamstring is completely ruptured.

6 What is the recovery process for such an injury?

Recovery depends on the severity of the injury and how much time is allowed to heal. The total recovery time can be from three to seven days for a mild strain to four to six weeks for moderate to severe strain.

7 What are symptoms of injury to the hamstring muscles?

Symptoms related to hamstring injury include tenderness over the hamstring (proximal or distal), bruising, weakness or mass if there is tendon rupture.

8 What can athletes do to prevent hamstring injuries?

To help prevent hamstring injuries athletes should practice daily stretching, muscle strengthening of the hamstrings to counter balance the strength of the quadriceps muscle, take extra care if previous history of hamstring injury, and eliminate practicing during muscle fatigue.

9 What part does nutrition play in this type of injury?

An athlete should have a balance diet. However, adequate hydration, carbohydrate and possibly increase protein intake may help decrease risk of injury. A diet with balanced calcium, antioxidants, and iron supplements may also be helpful in injury prevention.

Muscles Spasms/Strains

1 What is a muscle spasm/strain?

A muscle spasm is a sudden, involuntary muscle contraction. A muscle strain is an injury to a muscle.

2 What causes a muscle spasm/strain?

There are many causes of muscle spasm, including dehydration, excessive loss of electrolytes, poor conditioning, muscle fatigue and nerve irritation.

3 What are the symptoms and signs of muscle spasms/strains?

Athletes will complain of severe pain along the muscle belly. The muscle may appear firm or have a rope-like feel on clinical exam.

4 How are muscle spasms/strains diagnosed?

Muscle spasms and strains are diagnosed based on history and clinical exam findings. Diagnostic ultrasound and MRIs can also be used to further diagnose severity of injury.

5 How are muscle spasms/strains treated?

Some muscle spasms require manual stretching to lengthen and relax the contracted muscle. Muscles relaxants and anti-inflammatory medications are useful adjuncts for treating pain associated with injury. Other modalities such as musculoskeletal manipulation and acupuncture can also be used.

Dr Ingrid D Carter

Emergency Medicine/Sports Medicine

UHZ Sports Medicine Institute

www.uhzsmi.com

Provided by: Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission