Biomechanical Parameters Assessed During Running Among Running-Related Athletes with Recurrent Hamstring Strain Injury: A Scoping Review

Hamstring strain injury (HSI) is a common non-contact injury, with most cases occurring among running-related athletes and sporting events. HSI is characterized by sharp, intense pain throughout the posterior thigh, necessitating the rapid cessation of physical activity. Injury rates are predicted to be 3–4.1 per 1000 hours of competition and 0.4–0.5 per 1000 hours of training. The rate of injuries during training sessions has increased more than in competitive matches, with an average increase of 4% per year. This scoping review aims to determine the biomechanical parameters (kinematics and kinetics) associated with recurrent hamstrings injury occur among running-related athletes. Peer-reviewed papers focusing on biomechanical risk factors associated with recurrent hamstring injury among running-related athletes (sprinters, runners, basketball players, and football or soccer players) will be eligible for inclusion. Studies from inception to May 2022 written in English or English translation will be sought for this scoping review. The proposed scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. The search strategy will aim to locate both published and unpublished studies. An initial limited search of PubMed will be undertaken to identify articles on the topic. The search strategy will be adapted for each database and information source, including all specified keywords and index terms. The reference list of all included sources of evidence will be screened for additional studies. Data will be extracted from papers included in the scoping review by two or more independent reviewers using a data extraction tool developed by the reviewers. The data will be presented in tabular form. A narrative summary will accompany the tabulated results and describe how the results relate to the review objective and question/s

Echo Intensity and Shear Wave Elastography in Athletes with Previous Hamstring Injury: A Systematic Review

Objective: To systematically review the literature and present evidence-based echo intensity and shear wave elastography characteristics of previously injured hamstrings among athletes. Design: Systematic review Methods: A comprehensive literature search to identify randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, analytical observational studies, case-control studies, and cross-sectional studies reporting echo intensity and shear wave elastography characteristics of adult athletes with a history of hamstring strain injury compared to a control group was performed using four electronic databases: PubMed, EBSCO (CINAHL and Medline), Science Direct, and Web of Science. Studies reporting measures using imaging other than ultrasound and where no diagnosis of hamstring strain has been made were excluded. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated using the McMasters Critical Review Form of Quantitative studies. Results: This review included two studies involving 61 athletes reporting outcomes on shear wave elastography. Interestingly no studies were found on echo intensity. During rest, there was a significant increase in fascial tissue stiffness but no change in the stiffness of the muscles of the injured limb, while during isometric contraction, there was a considerably decreased stiffness of the injured muscle compared to the non-injured limb. Conclusion: Although the evidence is severely lacking, shear wave elastography is a promising tool for detecting changes in hamstring characteristics following an injury. Future studies regarding echo intensity and shear wave elastography are necessary, including establishing a standardized procedure before they can be employed reliably in musculoskeletal imaging