Why are there so many hamstring injuries at the start of the season?

Herzog Medical
July 14, 2025

The new football season is about to begin. For many footballers and other team athletes, this means the start of a period of building up, training sessions, and matches. Unfortunately, this also means a peak in hamstring injuries. But why now?

The hamstrings: strength and vulnerabilityThe hamstrings are a group of three muscles at the back of your thigh. They are responsible for knee flexion and hip extension, crucial for explosive movements such as sprinting, braking, and turning. Precisely this type of movement is common in sports like football, hockey, or athletics.

1. Lack of specific loadMany athletes train less intensively in the summer or choose other forms of exercise. The result: at the start of the season, the hamstrings are insufficiently prepared for explosive exertion. You may be fit, but not 'match-fit'.

2. Too rapid training progressionCoaches and teams want to be ready for competition quickly. This means: short preparation time, high training intensity, and little room for recovery. Especially if sprint and strength training are incorporated too late or too little, the hamstrings take a hit.

3. Insufficient attention to eccentric strengthHamstring injuries often occur when the muscle is working eccentrically: when the muscle lengthens under tension (such as when decelerating during a sprint). This requires specific strength training, such as Nordic Hamstring Curls, exercises that are unfortunately still too often missing from many training programs.

4. The hamstring: vulnerable due to its function and locationThe hamstrings are bi-articular muscles: they cross two joints (hip and knee) and are therefore susceptible to tensile forces in both directions. During sprinting – especially during the deceleration phase – the hamstrings absorb enormous peak loads. When these peaks suddenly recur, the risk of a strain or tear is high.

5. Lack of proper recoveryAn intense season requires equally intense recovery. But in practice, recovery often receives too little attention. This includes insufficient sleep, poor diet, or simply too little time between strenuous training sessions. Active recovery, with compression or light movement, can better dose the load and help prevent injuries.

Products in this blog

PRO Sport Compression Shorts Blue

€75,95

PRO Sport Compression Shorts Blue

€75,95

Compry Cool

€750,00

Compry Cool

€750,00

What can you do to prevent hamstring injuries?
• Do targeted strength training for the hamstrings, with an emphasis on eccentric exercises.
• Gradually build up training, with sufficient rest between intensive sessions.
• Use the Herzog compression shorts during matches and for recovery. The compression holds your thigh muscles together, which minimizes shock absorption.
• Don't forget mobility: flexible hips and good core stability reduce the strain on your hamstrings.
• Listen to your body. Aches and pains are warning signs; don't ignore them during preparation.

Herzog PRO Compression Shorts
Herzog compression shorts are the right choice for footballers because they are the only ones on the market based on three specific measurement points, ensuring a perfect fit and accurate pressure distribution. In addition, the compression shorts offer gradual compression: the pressure is highest at the hamstring attachment and decreases towards the groin, optimally draining fluid and waste products. This contributes to faster recovery, less muscle soreness, and a lower chance of injuries. It's no wonder that professional clubs such as NAC Breda, SC Heerenveen, and ADO Den Haag rely on these shorts to keep their players fit during the intensive start of the season.

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