Smaller Biceps Femoris Aponeurosis Size in Legs with a History of Hamstring Strain Injury

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Abstract
Biceps femoris long head (BFLH) aponeurosis size was compared between legs with and without prior hamstring strain injury (HSI) using within-group (injured vs. uninjured legs of previous unilateral HSI athletes) and between-group (previously injured legs of HSI athletes vs. legs of No prior HSI athletes) approaches. Currently healthy competitive male athletes with Prior HSI history (n=23; ≥1 verified BFLH injury; including a sub-group with unilateral HSI history; most recent HSI 1.6 ± 1.2 years ago) and pair-matched athletes with No prior HSI history (n=23) were MRI scanned. Anonymised axial images were manually segmented to quantify BFLH aponeurosis and muscle size. Prior unilateral HSI athletes’ BFLH aponeurosis maximum width, aponeurosis area, and aponeurosis:muscle area ratio was 14.0-19.6% smaller in previously injured vs. contralateral uninjured legs (paired t-test, 0.008≤p≤0.044). BFLH aponeurosis maximum width and area were also 9.4-16.5% smaller in previously injured legs (n=28) from prior HSI athletes vs. legs (n=46) of No prior HSI athletes (unpaired t-test, 0.001≤p≤0.044). BFLH aponeurosis size was smaller in legs with Prior HSI vs. those without prior HSI. These findings suggest BFLH aponeurosis size, especially maximum width, could be a potential cause or consequence of HSI, with prospective evidence needed to support or refute these possibilities. Received: 31 January 2024 Accepted after revision: 18 June 2024 Accepted Manuscript online: 19 June 2024 © . Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany
Funding Information
  • Institute for Sports Research

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