Download Grade 1 - GLLM Moodle 2

Sports Injuries: Strain
By the end of the session you should
be able to:
o List the signs and symptoms of a
strain
o Describe the types of strain that
can occur in sports performance
o Describe the psychological effects
of having a strain injury
SPORTS INJURIES - STRAIN
WHAT IS A STRAIN?
A muscle strain is damage caused by
overstretching the muscle rather
than by external impact. It usually
happens during dynamic actions
produced at speed and can be made
worse by lack of control
WHAT IS A STRAIN?
Muscles consist of thousands of
fibres bound together within a sheath
of connective tissue.
A strain is a twist, pull, or tear of
muscle fibres and / or tendons.
Tendons are fibrous cords of tissue
that attach muscle to bone.
What causes a strain?
List some intrinsic and extrinsic risk
factors and give sporting examples
how these may cause a muscle strain
Intrinsic Causes
Lack of warm-up.
Inadequate fitness or physical
weakness.
Anatomical factors.
Tight muscle groups
Muscle imbalance
Previous injury.
Extrinsic Causes
Faulty technique.
Inappropriate training: training errors;
mode; duration; intensity
Inappropriate clothing.
Inappropriate footwear.
Lack of protective safety equipment.
Inappropriate environment.
WHAT CAUSES A STRAIN?
Chronic strains are the result of overuse –
prolonged, repetitive movement – of
muscles and tendons.
Inadequate rest periods during intensive
training precipitates a strain.
Acute strains are caused by a direct blow
to the body, over stretching, or excessive
muscle contraction.
There are many different types of muscle
strain
Strain or tare?
Pulled or Torn Muscle
Cause: Torn Muscle fibres due to the
inability to cope with the force applied
to them. Pain is very localised.
Reasons: Poor Training, Bad
technique, lack of warm up, lack of
flexibility.
What is a hamsting strain?
A hamstring strain or a pulled hamstring as
it is sometimes called is a tear in one of
the hamstrings muscles
(Semitendinosis, Semimembrinosis and
Biceps femoris).
It often results from an overload of the
muscles or trying to move the muscles too
fast.
Strains are common in all sports especially
ones where sprinting is involved.
Muscle Strain
A muscle is
pulled to the
point of tearing
Neck, back, legs
Overtraining,
lack of flexibility,
unbalanced leg
muscle strength,
poor state of
fitness
Sporting example
Hurdles
Symptoms include:
A sudden sharp pain at the back of the
leg.
Muscles going into spasm.
Swelling and bruising.
If the rupture is very bad you may feel
a gap in the muscle
Psychological response’s
How do you think Lolo Jones felt at
that stage and following her injury?
3 grades of severity
Muscle strains are graded by their
severity
Grade 1 or first degree
Grade 2 or second degree
Grade 3 or third degree
Write down what you think the signs
and symptoms are, and how long
rest you will need at each stage? E.g.
hamstring
Grade 1: What does it feel like?
Might have tightness in the thigh.
May be able to walk properly.
Probably won't have much swelling.
Lying on front and trying to bend the
knee against resistance probably won't
produce much pain.
Limited damage to small number of
fibres
2-3 weeks
Grade 2: What does it feel like?
Probably cannot walk properly.
May get occasional sudden twinges of pain
during activity.
May notice swelling.
Pressing in causes pain.
Bending the knee against resistance causes
pain.
Might be unable to fully straighten the knee.
Large proportion of fibres damaged
3-6 weeks
Grade 3: What does it feel like?
Unable to walk properly without the aid of
crutches.
Severe pain.
Bad swelling appears immediately.
A static contraction will be painful and might
produce a bulge in the muscle.
A complete rupture that normally requires
surgery
Expect to be out of competition for 3 to
twelve weeks or more.
Aims of rehabilitation
Reduce pain and swelling.
Improve flexibility and muscle
condition.
Restore muscle strength.
Return to full fitness.