Hamstrings are tendons or strong bands of tissue. A Hamstring injury is a tear or strain to the tendons or large muscles at the back of the thigh. The length of time for recovery from a hamstring strain or tear depends on the severity of injury in exercises for hamstring strain.

The injury of your hamstring strain can be treated with the effective hamstring strengthening exercises because the hamstring muscles are very active while bending the knee, such as jumping, running, and climbing.

Regular stretching and strengthening exercises for hamstring strain is very important for athletes because they are more prone to the hamstring strain.

Exercises for hamstring strain

The hamstring strain can happen in different severities depending on the 3 grades of hamstring strain like a mild muscle strain or pull (grade 1), partial muscle tear (grade 2) and complete muscle tear (grade 3). 

To overcome this, the below mentioned hamstring strengthening exercises for hamstring strain plays a vital role for people who are prone to hamstring strain.

Bent leg hamstring stretch

Bent leg hamstring stretch usually targets the muscle fibres closer to the hip. To do these exercises for hamstring strain you can use the floor and then,

• Lie on your back and pull your leg over by slightly bending your knee 
• Feel a gentle stretch at the leg’s back but ensure it is not painful
• Perform 3 sets of these exercises for hamstring strain of 10 seconds once or twice a day.

Dynamic hamstring stretching exercises

Dynamic hamstring stretching exercises involve movement which is more functional or sports specific. These hamstring strengthening exercises for hamstring strain uses your muscle’s natural sensors (spindles) to stretch the muscles.

• It includes active straight leg raises, dynamic walks and cycling upside down.
• Perform 3 x 10 repetitions by gently swinging the straight leg as high as possible
• Do not try to bounce or force into the stretch 
• Let your muscles have a natural range of motion. 

Hamstring catches

Hamstring catches allow your leg to drop from a bent position. Use your hamstring muscles to catch the leg before it falls horizontal.  To perform these exercises for hamstring strain, 

• Stay relaxed when legs fall under the influence of gravity
• Contract only the hamstring muscles to prevent the landing foot
• The hamstring muscles eccentrically start to work with a very light dynamic training effect
• Start with 1 set of 10 repetitions initially and gradually increase to 3 sets of 15 repetitions for better result.

Isometric hamstring exercises

Isometric hamstring exercises keep the hamstring muscles static, so it is important to do these exercises for hamstring strain at varied amounts of flexion.

• Lie flat on your back 
• Contract the hamstring muscles by holding for about 3 – 4 seconds
• Change the amount of your bent knee to work the muscle at different lengths.
• Then again repeat it for about 4 – 5 times with your foot turn inwards to target the inner and outer hamstring muscles

Standing knee flexion

The standing knee fusion exercise are one of the exercises for hamstring strain which has to be performed more explosively

• First, stand on one leg and bend the other leg using just the gravity as resistance
• Aim these exercises for hamstring strain with 3 sets making 10 repetitions initially and build up to 4 sets of 20 repetitions.

Straight leg hamstring stretch

The aim in the straight leg hamstring stretch is to get a little elasticity to the healing tissue. To perform these exercises for hamstring strain you have to 

• Place your foot on a table and lean into the stretch
• Keep your leg straight and chest up, relax into the stretch
• Aim to stretch forward from the hip area rather than shoulders
• Feel a gentle stretch at the back of the thigh which is not painful
• Repeat 3 sets for 10 -15 seconds once or twice a day

Benefits of exercises for hamstring strain

Hamstring strengthening exercises ensure that your muscles remain flexible and strong, which in turn aids the legs, knees, hips and back to function smoothly. Some of the benefits of exercises for hamstring strain are:

• Reduces stiffness
• Increases range of motion
• Prevents lower back pain
• Improves leg strength
• Provides greater flexibility
• Reduces injuries
• Improves posture

If you have had a hamstring strain, your physical therapist at Bharath Orthopaedics will progress you through exercises for hamstring strain to help you fully recover and get back to your optimal functional mobility quickly and safely.

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