Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Muscle Injuries

Muscle injuries are extremely frequent in professional and amateur sports. Muscle strains, particularly of the hamstrings, are the most frequent injuries in football (soccer) and Australian football. Muscle injuries can be classified in relation to the time of absence into minor, moderate or SEVERE. One of the main problems in muscle injuries is the recurrence rate and this is especially common in the hamstrings group. The clinical presentation of muscle injuries is highly variable and depends on many factors related the mechanism, intensity and type of trauma. Understanding the injury as well as its cause is crucial for the development of specific treatment and prevention strategies.