"Stretched to the Breaking Point: Why Hamstring Injuries Are the Premier League's Biggest Nightmare" 2025

 

The challenges faced by medical departments in football are far-reaching, and hamstring injuries are one of the significant issues they must contend with. While it may seem like there has been a sudden surge in these injuries, the reality is more complex. High-profile players like Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz, who are long-term absentees due to injury, can give the impression that hamstring issues are becoming more common. In fact, according to the Premier Injuries website, data up until game week 26 of this season shows that 100 out of 418 injuries (24%) were related to hamstrings. This is a slight decrease from the 120 hamstring injuries (26%) reported at the same stage in the previous season. Despite this, one of the most concerning trends is the increasing duration of these injuries. Of the 100 hamstring injuries this season, 9 players were sidelined for up to 13 days, 40 were out for 14 to 30 days, and a significant 51 players experienced injuries that kept them off the field for more than 30 days. Comparatively, in the previous season, 120 hamstring injuries led to just 49 instances where players were absent for over 30 days.

This long-term absence due to hamstring injuries is part of a broader issue in modern football, where the frequency and severity of injuries appear to be increasing. A study conducted by Professor Jan Ekstrand of Linköping University in Sweden, which analyzed data from 54 teams across 20 European countries over two decades (2001-2022), found that the rate of hamstring injuries in football had doubled, from 12% of all injuries to 24%. This data highlights not only the rise in injuries but also the severity and long-lasting nature of the problem.

Unfortunately, there is little expectation for an immediate improvement. While the slight drop in injury figures may seem promising, it is not enough to offset the growing concern that hamstring injuries are becoming more serious. In fact, surgical interventions have become increasingly common as specialists are faced with more complex injuries affecting tricky parts of the hamstring muscle. Fearghal Kerin, a physiotherapist who previously worked at Chelsea, notes that lower-grade injuries, such as grade ones and twos, are becoming less common. Previously, these injuries would be considered hamstring tightness, with a relatively quick recovery time of around 10 days. Today, however, such injuries are rarely resolved within that time frame.

A key factor contributing to the rise in hamstring injuries is the physical demands placed on players. The modern game is characterized by an intense schedule, with more tournaments and fixtures being added to the calendar, leaving little time for players to recover. Maheta Molango, the chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, highlights the ongoing cycle players face: they play, recover, and play again, with very little time for proper rest and recuperation. Additionally, the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the scheduling of the 2022 World Cup in winter, and the additional time added to matches due to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system have all added to the physical burden on players.

Kerin points out that fatigue and the number of sprinting metres a player accumulates are crucial factors in hamstring injuries. As the frequency of games increases, players face almost no opportunity to fully recover between matches. Prof. Ernest Schilders, a surgeon specializing in hamstring injuries, speaks of players whose physical loads have risen dramatically, further contributing to the risk of injury. This trend reflects a larger issue within the sport, where the demands of the game are changing at a rapid pace, often with little regard for player welfare.

In conclusion, the rise in hamstring injuries in football is a multi-faceted issue that requires careful attention. With the pace of the game increasing and the demands on players growing, medical departments face significant challenges in managing and preventing injuries. The lack of sufficient recovery time, combined with the intensity of modern football, has led to longer and more severe injuries, especially when it comes to hamstrings. If the sport continues on this trajectory, it is essential for authorities to consider the long-term welfare of players to ensure their health and well-being are prioritized alongside the spectacle of the game.