Understanding Muscle Injuries: Causes And Mechanisms

how do muscle injuries occur

Muscle injuries can occur in a variety of ways, from sudden, acute injuries to gradual, overuse injuries. Acute injuries are often sports injuries, caused by sudden sprinting, twisting or jumping, while overuse injuries occur when cumulative forces exceed the tissue's ability to withstand them. In both cases, muscle injuries occur when the muscle is contracting while it is elongating, and the fibres of the muscle are torn. This can happen after direct or indirect trauma, with the injury depending on the impact intensity, state of contraction of the muscle, and the muscle injured.

Characteristics Values
Type of injury Traumatic
Cause Direct or indirect trauma
Direct trauma An external force is applied to the muscle
Indirect trauma No external force, caused by an eccentric contraction of the muscle
Eccentric contraction Occurs in the eccentric phase of the muscle contraction
Eccentric phase When the muscle is contracting while it is elongating
Overuse More common than acute injuries
Acute injuries Caused by sudden sprinting, twisting or jumping
Lesion type 3A, minor partial lesion involving one or more primary fascicles within a secondary bundle

cyvigor

Eccentric contraction of the muscle

Muscle injuries usually occur in the eccentric phase of the muscle contraction after an indirect insult, which is more common in non-contact sports, and after direct trauma, as in contact sports. Traumatic lesions vary depending on the direction and angle of movement of the forces applied. When the trauma is direct, an external force is applied to the muscle, and external and internal structures are squeezed against each other. The injury therefore depends on the impact intensity, state of contraction of the muscle, traumatic moment, and muscle injured. In indirect trauma, there is no external traumatic force, and the main cause of injury is an eccentric contraction of the muscle.

Additionally, eccentric contraction of the muscle can be influenced by the cumulative forces exceeding the tissue's ability to withstand such forces. This can be due to either isolated macro-traumatic events or repetitive micro-traumatic events. Overuse sports injuries are a common example of this, as the injuries occur gradually over time and are often underestimated in surveys of athletic injuries. By the time athletes present for treatment, the injuries are well-established and more challenging to manage successfully.

cyvigor

Overuse sports injuries

Muscle injuries usually occur in the eccentric phase of the muscle contraction after an indirect insult, which is more common in non-contact sports, or after direct trauma, as in contact sports. Direct trauma occurs when an external force is applied to the muscle, and external and internal structures are squeezed against each other. The injury depends on the impact intensity, state of contraction of the muscle, traumatic moment, and muscle injured.

Muscle injuries can also occur during excessive loading of the muscle, when the muscle is contracting while it is elongating. This can happen suddenly or gradually, and is often caused by sudden sprinting, twisting or jumping.

cyvigor

Direct trauma

Muscle injuries can occur as a result of direct trauma, which is more common in contact sports. Direct trauma occurs when an external force is applied to the muscle, causing external and internal structures to be squeezed against each other. The severity of the injury depends on the impact intensity, the state of contraction of the muscle, the traumatic moment, and the muscle injured.

When the muscle is contracting while it is elongating, it can lead to excessive loading of the muscle, resulting in a muscle strain. Muscle strains are tears in the fibres of the muscle, which can happen suddenly or gradually. Acute injuries are often sports injuries caused by sudden sprinting, twisting, or jumping, but they can also occur accidentally in everyday life.

The impact intensity of the trauma plays a crucial role in determining the extent of the injury. The state of contraction of the muscle at the time of impact is another important factor. If the muscle is in a contracted state, it may be more susceptible to injury as the fibres are already shortened and under tension.

Additionally, the specific moment of trauma and the muscle injured can influence the outcome. Certain muscles may be more vulnerable to direct trauma due to their anatomical location or function. For example, muscles that are frequently used in contact sports, such as the hamstrings or quadriceps, may be at a higher risk of injury from direct trauma.

To prevent and manage muscle injuries from direct trauma, it is essential to understand the mechanisms and risk factors involved. Proper warm-up and stretching routines, as well as adequate protective gear, can help reduce the likelihood and severity of muscle injuries in contact sports.

cyvigor

Acute injuries

Muscle injuries usually occur in the eccentric phase of the muscle contraction after an indirect insult, which is more common in non-contact sports, or after direct trauma, as in contact sports. Direct trauma occurs when an external force is applied to the muscle, and external and internal structures are squeezed against each other. The injury depends on the impact intensity, state of contraction of the muscle, traumatic moment, and muscle injured. In indirect trauma, there is no external traumatic force, and the main cause of injury is an eccentric contraction of the muscle.

cyvigor

Muscle disorders

Muscle injuries are usually the result of an eccentric contraction of the muscle. This occurs when the muscle is contracting while it is elongating. This can happen suddenly or gradually.

Muscle injuries are often sports injuries, caused by sudden sprinting, twisting or jumping. They are more common in non-contact sports, but they can also occur in contact sports. Traumatic lesions vary depending on the direction and angle of the movement and the forces applied. When the trauma is direct, an external force is applied to the muscle, and external and internal structures are squeezed against each other. The injury depends on the impact intensity, state of contraction of the muscle, traumatic moment, and the muscle injured. In indirect trauma, there is no external traumatic force, and the injury is caused by an eccentric contraction of the muscle.

Overuse sports injuries outnumber acute, instantaneous injuries in almost every athletic activity. This is because they do not instantly disable the person and attract less medical attention. Their frequency of occurrence is almost always underestimated in surveys of athletic injuries. The treatment of overuse sports injuries is made difficult by various factors, such as an insidious onset. When athletes present for treatment, the injuries are well established and more difficult to manage successfully.

A 2B injury arises from an unbalanced control of the neuro-musculoskeletal system, mostly of the mechanism of mutual inhibition coming from the muscle spindles. An imbalance of these neuromuscular mechanisms may compromise the control of muscle tone and induce muscle disorders. This occurs when the inhibition system of the agonist muscles is altered (diminished), and the agonist muscle is excessively contracted for compensation.

Frequently asked questions

Muscle injuries usually occur during the eccentric phase of the muscle contraction, when the muscle is contracting while it is elongating.

There are two types of muscle injuries: acute injuries and overuse sports injuries. Acute injuries are caused by sudden movements such as sprinting, twisting or jumping. Overuse sports injuries are caused by cumulative forces exceeding the tissue's ability to withstand them.

Structural muscle injuries are divided into three sub-groups according to the entity of the lesion within the muscle. A type 3A lesion is a minor partial lesion involving one or more primary fascicles within a secondary bundle. A type 2B injury arises from an unbalanced control of the neuro-musculoskeletal system, which may induce muscle disorders.

There are two types of trauma that can cause muscle injuries: direct and indirect. Direct trauma involves an external force being applied to the muscle, causing external and internal structures to be squeezed against each other. Indirect trauma does not involve an external force, and the main cause of injury is an eccentric contraction of the muscle.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment