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    Hamstring Strain Injury Prevention: Current Beliefs and Practices of Practitioners Working in Major League Baseball


    Lazarczuk, Stephanie L., Headrick, Jonathon, Hickey, Jack, Timmins, Ryan G., Leva, Furey A. and Bourne, Matthew N. (2024) Hamstring Strain Injury Prevention: Current Beliefs and Practices of Practitioners Working in Major League Baseball. Journal of Athletic Training, 59 (7). pp. 696-704. ISSN 1062-6050

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    Abstract

    Hamstring strain injury (HSI) is the most frequently sustained injury in Major League Baseball (MLB). However, the beliefs and practices of practitioners working in MLB regarding HSI risk factors and prevention strategies in baseball athletes have not been documented. Objective To document the current beliefs and practices of practitioners working in MLB regarding HSI prevention. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Major League Baseball via an online survey. Patients or Other Participants Athletic trainers, physical therapists, and strength and conditioning coaches working in MLB during the 2021 season. Data Collection and Analysis An online survey was conducted, with participants completing the survey once. Questions pertained to risk factor identification, the use and perceived effectiveness of prevention strategies, and barriers to implementation. Descriptive statistics were calculated for each question. Results A total of 91 responses were received featuring respondents from 28 of 30 MLB organizations. The perceived most important intrinsic risk factors were tolerance to high-speed running for first-time HSI and previous HSI for recurrent injury. The perceived most important extrinsic risk factor for both first-time and recurrent HSI was internal communication between staff. The perceived most effective prevention strategies were managing overall workload, regular exposure to high-speed running, and periodization. The most used prevention strategies were core or lumbopelvic strengthening, traditional resistance-training exercises, and managing overall workload. Approximately half (53%) of respondents reported barriers to effective implementation of HSI prevention strategies, including player and coach buy-in, compliance, workload management, and scheduling. Conclusions This was the first survey to investigate MLB practitioner beliefs and practices regarding HSI prevention. Responses from practitioners regarding their beliefs about risk factors and appropriate prevention strategies varied, and discrepancies existed between the perceived most effective strategies and those most frequently used.
    Item Type: Article
    Keywords: muscle injuries; risk factors; sport;
    Academic Unit: Faculty of Science and Engineering > Sports Science and Nutrition
    Item ID: 19696
    Identification Number: 10.4085/1062-6050-0640.22
    Depositing User: Jack Hickey
    Date Deposited: 15 Apr 2025 10:02
    Journal or Publication Title: Journal of Athletic Training
    Publisher: National Athletic Trainers' Association
    Refereed: Yes
    Related URLs:
    URI: https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/id/eprint/19696
    Use Licence: This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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