Hamstring Strains: Advanced Clinical Decision-Making
and Solutions (Recorded Webinar)
Presented by Kyle Matsel
This course is a recording of a previously hosted live webinar event. Polling and question submission features are not available for this recording. Format and structure may differ from those of standard Medbridge courses.
Hamstring strains remain among the most common and recurrent injuries in sport, particularly among high-speed and field-based athletes. Despite advances in rehabilitation research, reinjury rates remain high, often due to incomplete integration of evidence-based practice with movement-focused clinical reasoning. This advanced webinar is designed for sports physical therapists and athletic trainers seeking to elevate their evaluation and intervention strategies for hamstring strain rehabilitation. Participants will examine the latest evidence from systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines and translate that evidence into practical, performance-driven intervention strategies. Emphasis will be placed on integrating research-informed loading principles with systematic movement evaluation, including lumbopelvic control, regional interdependence, sprint mechanics, and kinetic chain contributions to hamstring strain. Through applied case examples and practical intervention demonstrations, attendees will learn how to move beyond isolated muscle treatment toward a comprehensive, movement-based rehabilitation framework. The course will focus on optimizing outcomes, enhancing athletic performance, and reducing reinjury risk through advanced clinical reasoning and evidence integration. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to immediately apply in high-demand athletic environments and a structured decision-making model to guide rehabilitation progression and return-to-play planning.
Learning Outcomes
- Interpret current epidemiological data to identify incidence and recurrence trends of hamstring strains across sport types and levels of competition
- Prioritize clinical practice guidelines to enhance clinical decision-making following a hamstring strain
- Create neuromuscular re-education techniques to correct dysfunction associated with hamstring strains
- Integrate principles of regional interdependence into a comprehensive assessment strategy for athletes with hamstring strains
- Assess lumbopelvic control, trunk mechanics, and kinetic chain contributions to hamstring strain injuries
- Develop an injury prevention plan that integrates strength, neuromuscular control, trunk stabilization, and agility to reduce risk for future hamstring strains
Meet your instructor
Kyle Matsel
Dr. Matsel is a tenured associate professor at the University of Evansville, where he teaches in the musculoskeletal content areas of the Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum. He received his doctor of physical therapy degree from the University of Evansville in 2011 and his PhD in rehabilitation sciences from the University…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Introduction and Current State of Hamstring Strains
This chapter examines current epidemiological trends, including sport-specific prevalence and recurrence patterns, to help rehabilitation professionals identify high-risk populations and contextual factors influencing injury rates. Dr. Matsel outlines the clinical course of hamstring strain injuries from acute phase through return-to-play, highlighting expected healing timelines, common barriers to recovery, and factors associated with delayed return or reinjury. Emphasis is placed on understanding multifactorial risk contributors and how they interact, and on establishing the foundation for advanced clinical reasoning and targeted intervention planning.
2. Hamstring Strain Diagnosis/Classification
This chapter provides a structured, evidence-informed approach to the examination, diagnosis, and clinical assessment of hamstring strains. Participants will review mechanisms of injury, differential diagnosis considerations, and key components of a comprehensive evaluation. Emphasis is placed on identifying contributing kinetic chain factors and integrating clinical findings to guide prognosis, loading strategy, and return-to-play decision-making.
3. Intervention Strategies for Hamstring Strains
This chapter focuses on advanced intervention strategies for hamstring strain rehabilitation, emphasizing the translation of current evidence into practical treatment. Participants will examine progressive loading models, including eccentric strengthening, and isometric loading, while integrating lumbopelvic control and regional interdependence principles into rehabilitation planning. Through live demonstrations and case examples, attendees will observe exercise progressions and movement retraining techniques designed to restore tissue capacity, optimize performance, and reduce reinjury risk.
4. Return to Play and Reinjury Risk
This chapter focuses on advanced intervention strategies for hamstring strain rehabilitation, emphasizing the translation of current evidence into practical treatment. Participants will examine progressive loading models, including eccentric strengthening and isometric loading, while integrating lumbopelvic control and regional interdependence principles into rehabilitation planning. Through live demonstrations and case examples, attendees will observe exercise progressions and movement retraining techniques designed to restore tissue capacity, optimize performance, and reduce reinjury risk.
5. Question and Answer Session
In this chapter, we’ll review and answer the questions submitted during the webinar.
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