A bayesian analysis of the main risk factors for hamstrings injuries

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among the main injury risk factors suggested for hamstrings strains through a Bayesian Network in athletes. All the hamstrings injuries sustained in the previous competitive year by the participants were recorded. In addition, all participants were assessed of the potential personal, psychological and biomechanical injury risk factors for hamstring strains in a single session. Probabilistic relationships of dependence and independence of the variables were studied by a Bayesian Network. After, we instantiated hypothetical probability values of several assessed variables in order to analyse the variation of the probability of sustain a hamstrings injury. The results confirm a key role of modifiable and biological injury factors in leading to hamstrings injury, highlighting the range of motion and isokinetic strength profile of the knee, the isometric unilateral strength ratio between of the hip abduction and adduction movements, as well as the core and lower extremities dynamic stability during anterior-posterior movements. Both the age and player´ positions were also suggested as key injury risk factors for hamstrings injuries.