Abstract:
Proximal biceps femoris musculotendon strain injury is a well-established and prevalent issue among athletes involved in sports demanding near-maximum sprinting speeds. Despite its common occurrence, the underlying biomechanical mechanisms that render this specific muscle tissue more susceptible to injury as sprinting speeds increase remain largely unknown. This study addresses this critical gap in understanding by aiming to quantify localized tissue strain during sprinting across a range of speeds.
To achieve this, a sophisticated finite-element computational model of the biceps femoris long head (BFlh) musculotendon was developed. The model incorporated realistic muscle geometry and dimensions obtained from magnetic resonance (MR) images of 14 athletes. This biomechanical model was rigorously validated through comparisons with previous dynamic MR experiments, ensuring its ability to accurately represent in vivo muscle behavior. Following validation, the model was then used to simulate sprinting mechanics at various speeds, ranging from 70% to 100% of maximum velocity. The simulations allowed for the detailed prediction of muscle tissue strains within the BFlh.
The findings from these computational biomechanics models consistently predict that increasing sprinting speed leads to larger muscle tissue strains within the BFlh. Specifically, the peak muscle tissue strains were significantly higher at faster speeds, suggesting a direct biomechanical link between sprint intensity and muscle injury risk. These results provide crucial insights into the mechanisms underlying hamstring strain injuries and offer a valuable tool for understanding how sprinting kinematics affect internal muscle loading. This work highlights the power of computational biomechanics to elucidate complex in vivo phenomena, ultimately contributing to improved injury prevention and rehabilitation strategies for athletes.
