Is Muscle Architecture Different in Athletes with a Previous Hamstring Strain? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Hamstring strains are a frequent injury in sports and are characterized by a high recurrence rate. The aim of this review was to examine the muscle and tendon architecture in individuals with hamstring injury. A systematic literature search in four databases yielded eleven studies on architecture following injury. Differences in the fascicle length (FL), pennation angle (PA) and muscle size measures (volume, thickness and physiological cross-sectional area) at rest were not significantly different between the previously injured limb and the contralateral limb (p > 0.05). There was moderate evidence that biceps femoris long head (BFlh) FL shortening was greater during contraction in the injured compared to the contralateral limb. The BFlh FL was smaller in athletes with a previous injury compared to uninjured individuals (p = 0.0015) but no differences in the FL and PA of other muscles as well as in the aponeurosis/tendon size were observed (p > 0.05). An examination of the FL of both leg muscles in individuals with a previous hamstring strain may be necessary before and after return to sport. Exercises that promote fascicle lengthening of both injured and uninjured leg muscles may be beneficial for athletes who recover from a hamstring injury.