Research Impact: In this study we measured the size of the biceps femoris long head (BFLH) aponeurosis using magnetic resonance imaging within participant (previous hamstring strain injury [HSI] leg vs no previous HSI leg), and between (height, weight, sport and performance level matched) participants. Within and between participant comparisons revealed that legs with a history of HSI had a BFLH aponeurosis that was 9-20% smaller than the non-injured legs, thus potentially predisposing individuals to HSI. The finding of a smaller BFLH aponeurosis in those with HSI using retrospective data will hopefully prompt further prospective research into BFLH aponeurosis size as a risk factor for HSI, eventually leading to training intervention work targeted at increasing BFLH aponeurosis size.
Balshaw T.G., McDermott, E.J., Massey G.J., Hartley C., Kong P.W., Maden-Wilkinson T., Folland J.P., 2024. Smaller biceps femoris aponeurosis size in legs with a history of hamstring strain injury. International Journal of Sports Medicine. DOI: 10.1055/a-2348-2605
Link: Thieme E-Journals – International Journal of Sports Medicine / Abstract (thieme-connect.com)
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