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Hamstring and other thigh injuries in children and young athletes
Author(s) -
Valle Xavier,
Malliaropoulos Nikolaos,
Párraga Botero Juan Diego,
Bikos Georgios,
Pruna Ricard,
Mónaco Mauricio,
Maffulli Nicola
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/sms.13282
Subject(s) - hamstring , hamstring injury , medicine , ischial tuberosity , ischium , athletes , physical therapy , posterior compartment of thigh , football , biceps , thigh , population , injury prevention , rehabilitation , incidence (geometry) , poison control , surgery , pelvis , emergency medicine , physics , environmental health , optics , political science , law
Background In adults, hamstring injuries may lead to long periods of rehabilitation and carry a definite risk of recurrence. However, no studies detail how these injuries affect young athletes. Objective To describe and analyze injuries in the hamstring area in young athletes. To identify risk factors for injuries to the hamstring area in this age group, which will make it possible to design and optimize prevention plans. Methods The study population consisted of 1157 young athletes with an average age of 13.56 years, all members of the Barcelona Football Club. Injuries to the hamstring area over three consecutive seasons (from July 2007 to June 2010) were analyzed. Results The 50 injuries in the hamstring muscle complex included 14 injuries to the biceps femoris, 17 to the semitendinosus‐semimembranosus complex, 10 cases of delayed onset muscle soreness ( DOMS ), and nine avulsion of the ischial tuberosity. Hamstring injuries were first identified in young athletes starting from age nine, with an age‐related increased rate up to the age of 15, and a lower incidence at age 14, 16, and 18. The average time lost following an hamstring injury was 21 days and 43.4 days following avulsion from the ischium. The highest incidence of injuries occurred in football players. Conclusions Hamstring injuries in this group of young athletes are less prevalent than in adults.