It is not uncommon for top NFL athletes to be sidelined due to injuries. Yet one type of injury had the league scratching its head, prompting $4M in research.
Hamstring injuries are the most common injuries in sports, including the NFL. Of those injured, 75% result in time away from play. Dr. Chris McKenzie, physical therapist and founder of McKenzie Sports Physical Therapy, is no stranger to hamstring injuries and the career damage they can cause. His dreams of competing at the Olympic level were dashed when a hamstring injury was incorrectly treated. This is a fate that no athlete should face, and it’s a reality that Dr. McKenzie is working tirelessly to change.
Last night’s game against the Falcons was short a key player as Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown sat out due to a hamstring injury. Cooper DeJean, a fresh face for the Philadelphia Eagles as a cornerback, also made recent news after being sidelined for three weeks due to a hamstring injury. Thankfully, he has returned to practice, but hamstring injuries are unpredictable. Addressing the underlying cause of why the injury occurred in the first place is critical to any athlete. The challenge is that many professionals don’t.
As was discovered when Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson missed almost half a season due to – you guessed it – a recurrent hamstring injury – asymmetry is often the culprit.
“It doesn’t matter how much you can squat or deadlift because it doesn’t translate to gains that hamstrings need,” said Dr. McKenzie. “The NFL study aims to debunk misconceptions about hamstring injury prevention and recovery, particularly the counterproductive practice of stretching through an injury.”
If a muscle is too tight or short and then overstretched beyond its capacity, there isn’t enough tensile strength in the muscle-tendon unit, so it pulls or rips at the weakest part. According to Dr. McKenzie, the location of the tear or strain is typically where the muscle turns into a tendon. The same goes for weakness in muscles.
For most humans, the body is asymmetrical, with one side being stronger than the other. This strength difference can often trigger injuries, particularly in the hamstrings.
“When there is a discrepancy in strength, the body compensates for the weakness,” said Dr. McKenzie.
Hamstring injuries often occur in running sports, such as football, soccer, or track and field, as in Dr. McKenzie’s case. Most hamstring injuries occur midstride when the muscle is extended in front and pulled back as the lead leg steps back. According to Dr. McKenzie, it is that eccentric action that needs to be strengthened for most athletes.
Targeted exercises should be performed to help bridge the gap in strength. One of Dr. McKenzie’s favorites is Nordic hamstring curls, which have been well-documented to reduce the incidence of hamstring injuries in soccer players.
As Christian Watson and many other elite athletes have shown, hamstring injuries often recur. However, a full recovery is possible with the right team in place and the right treatment plan.
“It is never too late to return to play after a hamstring injury,” said Dr. McKenzie. “Take it slow and take your time so it doesn’t recur.”
Dr. McKenzie’s advice aligns well with the Philadelphia Eagles’ viewpoint on prioritizing healthy athletes, which is critical for athletes who want to enjoy many years of playing the sport they love.