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Optimum Body Mechanic – Week 5

Optimum Body Mechanic – Week 5
23
Sep

Optimum Body Mechanic – Week 5

Hamstrings!

After coach Lee suffered this injury himself not so long ago, Venard has written a post about the possible reasons of why this injury is so common.

“Good ol’ hamstring injury. Pretty much all of us have experienced it at some point in our lives. The hamstring group can be separated into the inner (semimembranosus and semitendonosus) and outer group (bicep femoris long and short head). It’s main function is to extend your hip and to flex your knee.

A lot of injuries in sports are from hamstring injuries and the site where it is most commonly occurred is the upper end, the part where it attaches to your pelvis, underneath your glutes.

Why does it happens here?
Could be today’s society. We sit around a lot more. At work in the office, driving, on the couch, just generally being more sedentary. There is more stretching of the hamstring at the upper end than at the lower end (behind the knee) when sitting.

Could be previous injury. Hamstrings are part of the gait cycle. If you cannot perform the swing phase of gait correctly (where the leg swings from behind to in front of you), there’s a good chance it’s going to annoy that hamstring. It could be from poor footwear. Restrictive shoes and heels are main culprits. Forcing you to change the way you walk, again annoying the hamstring. Generally cutting short your stride.

Ankle injuries are a big one. Another part of the gait cycle. If you can’t walk well, the whole walking pattern isn’t going to work well.

Could be poor movement patterns. Rushing into the latest training fad or having poor coaches or not having a coach at all so you end up doing your favourite exercises can affect hamstrings. Going from little/no exercise to moderate/ high levels of exercise is going to create a lot of stress on it.

Poor coaching has an impact. The body is a creature of habit. It will always look for the path of least resistance and if this means going back to old movement patterns that have an increased chance of injury, then so be it. A good coach will guide you with the correct cues to ensure you are moving well.

Those deadlifts, squats, kettlebell lifts you’ve been putting off? They can help you reduce the chances of hamstring injuries. All work the hamstring at the upper attachment site”

Want to short cut the hassle, frustration of a hamstring injury? Contact us at venard@optimumbodymechanic.com to arrange your FREE 30 minute assessment to find out WHY it is happening.

obm

“Stay strong, stay healthy”

Team PTW