The role of neuromuscular inhibition in hamstring strain injury recurrence.
Hamstring strains have a high recurrence rate. This article discusses the factors involved in this high recurrence rate and the potential influence of neuromuscular inhibition.
The high risk of recurrence can be explained by the persistence of existing risk factors, scar tissue, reduced flexibility, muscle weakness (eccentric more than concentric), selective hamstring atrophy and shifts in the torque-joint angle relationship towards shorter muscle lengths. Neuromuscular inhibition of hamstring activation occurs following hamstring strain injury. This can cause an inability of the hamstring to be exposed to eccentric stimuli at long muscle length during rehab exercises. Altogether, this may result in chronic eccentric hamstring weakness, selective hamstring atrophy and shifts in the torque joint-angle relationship, all of which are factors increasing the risk of a hamstring re-injury > From Fyfe et al., J Electromyogr Kinesiol 23 (2013) 523-533. All rights reserved to Elsevier Inc.
Visit the Pubmed summary for more information or your article access.