Hamstring prevention programmes show benefit, but the evidence is uncertain
A pooled analysis found fewer hamstring strains in football participants, with low-certainty evidence and substantial variation in the results.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Exercise-based prevention programmes lowered hamstring injury risk on average compared with usual practice or warm-up. However, the evidence was rated low certainty, and results varied enough that a future setting might not show benefit. Better adherence was associated with stronger effects; the analysis cannot establish that adherence alone caused those differences.
The abstract rates the evidence as low certainty. Its prediction interval allows no benefit in a new setting, and the review could not distinguish programme types or components.
What researchers found
Hamstring strain injuries: estimated absolute difference
Programmes versus usual practice or warm-up, using a control injury rate of 7.8%. Reported intervention subgroups lasted 1–6 or 7–10 months; the interval describes statistical uncertainty.
Adherence was an association
Studies with higher programme adherence showed lower injury risk, while those with lower adherence showed no clear benefit. This pattern supports studying implementation, without proving that increasing adherence alone guarantees fewer injuries.
Programme differences remain unresolved
The analysis detected no differences by training frequency or weekly volume. Shorter interventions and elite or semi-professional groups showed stronger results, but these subgroup comparisons do not establish an optimal programme.
The original publication
Intervention components, training dose, and adherence in exercise-based prevention of hamstring strain injury in football: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Gu J, Li Y, Wang Y et al.
Ann Med · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41945463
- Record checked
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