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Stretch Could Reduce Hamstring Injury Risk During Sprinting by Right Shifting the Length-Torque Curve.

PMID 29912857 (2018): stretch, stretching — Injury risk (study note for endurance athletes).

Last updated/Feb 23, 2026, 11:13 PM

Study note • PMID 29912857

Stretch Could Reduce Hamstring Injury Risk During Sprinting by Right Shifting the Length-Torque Curve.

Journal of strength and conditioning research2018 • DOI 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002645
Evidence C58/100
Action 2: Consider

Worth trying if it fits your goal and context.

ELI5

In plain language

Ruan, M, Li, L, Chen, C, and Wu, X. (controlled study; athletes).

The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Injury risk under the tested conditions. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.

Takeaways

What the abstract suggests

  • Study question: Ruan, M, Li, L, Chen, C, and Wu, X.
  • The abstract doesn’t indicate a clear change in Injury risk under the tested conditions.
  • Population: athletes.
  • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 05 m.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: stretch, stretching.
  • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 05 m.
  • Outcomes: Injury risk.
  • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.

Fit

Who it helps, and who should skip it

Who it helps

  • Athletes similar to the study population (athletes) working on mobility.
  • Athletes who can measure Injury risk with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.

Who should skip

  • If you have symptoms or conditions that make the intervention risky, get professional guidance.
  • If you’re near race day and can’t safely test, defer the experiment.

Methods

What the study actually did

  • Design: controlled study.
  • Population: athletes.
  • Outcomes measured: Injury risk.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 05 m.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 29912857 (2018) — Journal of strength and conditioning research.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

Stretch could reduce hamstring injury risk during sprinting by right shifting the length-torque curve.

Note: excerpts are short; for full context, read the paper.

Limits

Limitations & bias

  • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
  • Single studies often don’t generalize to your event, history, and training load; treat results as a starting point.
  • If your context differs (elite vs recreational; cycling vs running), adjust expectations and be conservative.
  • This is performance information, not medical advice.

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Sources