Askling et al. 2014, Lengthening (L-protocol) versus conventional rehab for acute hamstring injury

Prospective RCT (BJSM 2014;48:532-539) in 56 Swedish elite sprinters and jumpers with MRI-verified acute hamstring injury, randomised to a rehabilitation protocol emphasising lengthening exercises (L-protocol) or one of conventional exercises (C-protocol). Mean time to return to sport was 49 days for the L-protocol versus 86 days for the C-protocol. Injuries involving the proximal free tendon took longest. Both reinjuries occurred in the C-protocol group. Strong (Level 1 RCT).