Cranky hamstring question
Posted by Kitty on February 18, 2004:

Hi everyone - do others of you have problematic hamstrings, and know of some effective and perhaps little-known strengthening/stretching routines for them? My stretching routine is becoming less helpful the older I get. As for strength training, I've never consistently included it in my workouts, partly out of ignorance but mostly because I'm lazy. I'd be delighted with any advice from you folks. Merci beaucoup! -Kitty

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Re: Cranky hamstring question
Posted by Brian on February 19, 2004: In Reply to: Cranky hamstring question posted by Kitty on February 18, 2004

I know it's probably tempting to attack a hamstring problem by doing hamstring strengthening exercises like leg curls. But in my (non-medically-trained) experience muscle tightness and subsequent pain often arises in compensation for weakness in the opposing muscle group.

With this in mind, I'd suggest at least as much attention to quadriceps strengthening with leg extensions as leg curls. And, of course, lots of stretching of the quads as well as the hamstrings.

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Re: Cranky hamstring question
Posted by Larry on February 19, 2004: In Reply to: Re: Cranky hamstring question posted by Brian on February 19, 2004:

I agree with Brian, as someone with many hamstring problems over the years, I think the solution is about 50/50 stretching and development of quads to oppose the extraordinary strengthening and shortening of the hamstrings from lots of long slow distance (not to mention being "more mature" as we all are).

I have had very good luck adding cycling to my repertoire to develop my quads into something vaguely resembling my more youthful muscle balance(not serious fast cycling; just 1-2 hrs, 1x a week or so on a mountain/commuter bike and the quad development comes quickly)

I think it is important to be careful that any hamstring problem isn't really a sciatic nerve inflammation, it can feel remarkably the same at first.

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Re: Cranky hamstring question
Posted by Dr Dave on February 21, 2004: In Reply to: Re: Cranky hamstring question posted by Kitty on February 19, 2004:

All true, all true.

I think too the benefit of quality massage therapy can help with an important aspect of hamstring health. I believe the hamstrings, like all muscle when trained accepts micro-tears and pulls. The nature of the hamstrings though is they don't seem to heal as fast as other muscle groups. Good massage can speed recovery and healing here. Notice next time how much time the massage works on this important area.