Kenneth Gardner
STRETCHING IS a very important part of your exercise programme but overstretching could result in a strain.
A strain is a stretch injury that can result in tearing of a muscle or the supporting tissue such as the muscle tendon. The layman often refers to a strain as a 'pull muscle'. There are many possible causes of strain. However, most often a strain is produced by an abnormal muscle contraction, which can be attributed to many different factors. A popular theory suggests that strains develop because of a fault in the reciprocal co-ordination of muscles working as a team to provide us with efficient movement. These muscles are called agonist and antagonist, which provide us with muscle synergy (ideal coordination). Other theories suggest that strains may be related to strength imbalance between the agonists and antagonists in muscles, fatigue, a build of metabolites in the muscle itself or mineral imbalance caused by dehydration.
TYPES OF STRAINS
A strain may range from a very small separation of connective tissue and muscle fibre to a complete muscle rupture. These can be classified as first, second or third degree strains, which will result in the corresponding blood vessels haemorrhaging and swelling.
Detection of the injury is accomplished by understanding how the injury occurred and the administration of a muscle evaluation to identify exactly where the injury occurred. The muscles that are most often involved in the development of strains in the leg are the hamstring group or the muscles on the back of the thigh, the quadriceps group or the muscles on the front of the thigh. The muscles that flex the hip, abduct the hip, the spinalis muscles that extend the spine and the rotator cuff group of the shoulder are also quite prone to the development of strains.
Signs that indicate a strain include a severe weakness and a loss of function; muscle fatigue and involuntary muscle contraction may be experienced before the strain occurred. and a sharp pain is usually felt simultaneously with the occurrence of the injury. A painful periodic muscle contraction is usually felt in the affected body part. and the area, which has sustained the strain, displays tenderness when it is subjected to pressure. The individual may have heard a snap when the tissue was torn. and may notice an indentation or a cavity where the tissues have separated right after the injury occurred.
Healing will take place more easily the sooner the injury is attended to. The immediate application of ice helps in the reduction of swelling and pain. The treatment protocol should be guided by the severity of the injury.
However, the use of ice massage, superficial and penetrating heat, protection taping, padding or elastic wrap and anti-inflammatory medication are used in the initial stages of the strain management.
Kenneth Gardner is an exercise physiologist at the G. C. Foster College of Physical Education; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
