Correlation between lumbopelvic stability and hamstring strain recurrence in sprinters

Introduction
To examine the correlation of lumbopelvic stability with hamstring strain recurrence and determine how various lumbopelvic stability related factors are associated with recurrent hamstring strain in sprinters.

Methods
A retrospective case-control study with a sample of nineteen participants including seven healthy sprinters and twelve sprinters with strained hamstring (mean age: 19.42 ± 2.29 and 18.58 ± 1.62 years, respectively) were examined to assess the effect of altered lumbopelvic stability using factors such as hip flexor length, sacral mobility, internal rotation range, hamstring length and neuromuscular control of spine.

Results
Results revealed no significant correlation of neuromuscular control of spine with right (r = 0.28, p = 0.35) and left (r = 0.09, p = 0.71) side hamstring strain recurrence. A significant positive correlation was observed between: right side hamstring length and right-side internal rotation range (r = 0.65, p = 0.001), right side hamstring length and left side internal rotation range (r = 0.81, p = 0.001), left side hamstring length and right-side internal rotation range (r = 0.67, p = 0.001), left side hamstring length and left side internal rotation range (r = 0.82, p = 0.001). The neuromuscular control of spine was not significantly correlated with lumbopelvic stability related factors. Also, no significant difference in sacral mobility between the groups was found.

Conclusions
The hip flexor length, internal rotation range and hamstring length can be considered as useful factors in order to assess the risk of injury of hamstring muscle in sprinters.