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Return to Play After Hamstring Injuries: A Qualitative Systematic Review of Definitions and Criteria.
- Source :
- Sports Medicine; Jun2016, Vol. 46 Issue 6, p899-912, 14p
- Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- Background: More than half of the recurrent hamstring injuries occur within the first month after return-to-play (RTP). Although there are numerous studies on RTP, comparisons are hampered by the numerous definitions of RTP used. Moreover, there is no consensus on the criteria used to determine when a person can start playing again. These criteria need to be critically evaluated, in an attempt to reduce recurrence rates and optimize RTP. Objective: To carry out a systematic review of the literature on (1) definitions of RTP used in hamstring research and (2) criteria for RTP after hamstring injuries. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: Seven databases (PubMed, EMBASE/MEDLINE, CINAHL, PEDro, Cochrane, SPORTDiscus, Scopus) were searched for articles that provided a definition of, or criteria for, RTP after hamstring injury. There were no limitations on the methodological design or quality of articles. Content analysis was used to record and analyze definitions and criteria for RTP after hamstring injury. Results: Twenty-five papers fulfilled inclusion criteria, of which 13 provided a definition of RTP and 23 described criteria to support the RTP decision. 'Reaching the athlete's pre-injury level' and 'being able to perform full sport activities' were the primary content categories used to define RTP. 'Absence of pain', 'similar strength', 'similar flexibility', 'medical staff clearance', and 'functional performance' were core themes to describe criteria to support the RTP decision after hamstring injury. Conclusion: Only half of the included studies provided some definition of RTP after hamstring injury, of which reaching the athlete's pre-injury level and being able to perform full sport activities were the most important. A wide variety of criteria are used to support the RTP decision, none of which have been validated. More research is needed to reach a consensus on the definition of RTP and to provide validated RTP criteria to facilitate hamstring injury management and reduce hamstring injury recurrence. PROSPERO systematic review registration number: CRD42015016510. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- HAMSTRING muscle injuries
CINAHL database
CONTENT analysis
INFORMATION storage & retrieval systems
MEDICAL databases
MEDICAL information storage & retrieval systems
RANGE of motion of joints
MEDLINE
MUSCLE strength
ONLINE information services
PAIN
SPORTS
SPORTS injuries
SYSTEMATIC reviews
QUALITATIVE research
SPORTS participation
BODY movement
MEDICAL coding
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 01121642
- Volume :
- 46
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Sports Medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 117355282
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-015-0468-7