Efficacy of Eccentric Training in the Rehabilitation of Hamstring Strain Injuries: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Unzila Sadaqa, Muhammad Hamza Khalidb, Syed Meeran Hasnainc, Bahadur Kanwerd
- aLecturer, College of Rehabilitation & Allied Health Sciences, Hamdard University, Karachi, Pakistan
- bSr. Physical Therapist (Neuro Rehab / Pain Management), Dr. Ziauddin Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
- cAssistant Professor, ZCPT, Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan
- dCritical Care Physical Therapist, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
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Abstract
Background: Hamstring injuries are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries in athletes and physically active individuals, often associated with prolonged recovery and high recurrence rates. Eccentric training has gained attention as an effective intervention for improving muscle strength and reducing injury risk; however, its role in rehabilitation and recovery remains less clearly defined. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of eccentric training on hamstring injury recovery, focusing on pain reduction, muscle strength, flexibility, functional performance, and time to return to activity. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 40 participants aged 18–40 years with clinically diagnosed Grade I or II hamstring strains. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (eccentric training) or a control group (conventional rehabilitation), with 20 individuals in each group. The intervention period lasted 6–8 weeks. Outcome measures included pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale), hamstring strength (dynamometer), flexibility (sit-and-reach test), and functional performance scores. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including paired and independent t-tests, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in all outcome measures (p < 0.001). However, the experimental group demonstrated significantly greater improvements compared to the control group in pain reduction (2.1 ± 0.8 vs. 3.9 ± 1.0), strength (25.6 ± 2.8 kg vs. 21.2 ± 2.6 kg), flexibility (28.7 ± 3.5 cm vs. 24.1 ± 3.2 cm), and functional performance (82.4 ± 5.2 vs. 70.3 ± 6.0). Additionally, the eccentric training group achieved a faster return to activity (24.3 ± 3.5 days vs. 30.8 ± 4.2 days, p < 0.001). Conclusion:Eccentric training is a highly effective intervention for hamstring injury rehabilitation, significantly enhancing recovery outcomes and reducing recovery time. Its integration into standard rehabilitation protocols is recommended to optimize functional recovery and potentially reduce reinjury risk.