
The hamstring muscle complex is made up of three individual muscles: the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus. These muscles run down the back of the thigh and are used for standing, walking, running, jumping, and climbing stairs. Hamstring injuries are common in athletes, especially those who participate in sports that require sprinting, such as track, soccer, and basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of hamstring muscles | Three |
| Location | Back of the thigh |
| Function | Used for standing, walking, running, jumping, climbing stairs, squatting, and other leg movements |
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What You'll Learn
- Hamstring muscles are three large muscles that run down the back of the thigh
- They help control the hips and knees
- Hamstring injuries are common in athletes
- The three muscles are the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus
- They are used for standing, walking, running, jumping, and climbing stairs

Hamstring muscles are three large muscles that run down the back of the thigh
There are three hamstring muscles at the back of the thigh. These are the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus. They are used for standing, walking, running, and jumping, among other things. Hamstring muscle injuries and problems include muscle strains, flatback syndrome, spinal disc injury, and sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction. Hamstring injuries are common in elite and amateur sportspeople, and the treatment of such injuries ranges from conservative management to operative fixation.
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They help control the hips and knees
There are three hamstring muscles at the back of the thigh: the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus. These muscles help control the hips and knees, and are used for standing, walking, running, jumping, and climbing stairs. They are critical for human activities ranging from standing to explosive actions such as sprinting and jumping.
The hamstring muscles start at the bottom of the pelvis and end near the top of the lower leg. They cross both the femoroacetabular and tibiofemoral joints. This means that they play a role in controlling the hips and knees, as these joints are involved in hip and knee movement.
The word "ham" in "hamstring" comes from the Old English "ham" or "hom", meaning the hollow or bend of the knee. This is fitting, as the hamstring muscles are involved in controlling the bend of the knee. The string in "hamstring" refers to tendons, and the hamstrings' string-like tendons can be felt on either side of the back of the knee.
Hamstring injuries are common, especially in athletes who participate in sports that require sprinting, such as track, soccer, and basketball. These injuries can range from muscle strains to more serious issues such as spinal disc injury.
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Hamstring injuries are common in athletes
There are three hamstring muscles at the back of the thigh: the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus. These muscles are used for standing, walking, running, jumping, and climbing stairs. They are also used for more explosive actions such as sprinting and jumping.
Hamstring injuries are very common in athletes, especially those who participate in sports that require sprinting, such as track, soccer, and basketball. They are also common in baseball players, likely due to the high-speed running and frequent transition from static standing to dynamic movements. Hamstring injuries can also occur in sports that require jumping, kicking, rapid changes in direction, and lifting objects from the ground. Acute hamstring strains are the most common muscle strain and have high rates of recurrence. They can lead to prolonged absence from sports and often happen within the first two weeks of returning to sport.
Athletes with proximal hamstring tendinopathy often do not report a specific inciting event; instead, they develop the pathology from chronic overuse. A thorough history and examination are important to determine the appropriate diagnosis and rule out other causes of posterior thigh pain. Most hamstring injuries respond well to simple, nonsurgical treatments. Conservative management of hamstring strains involves a rehabilitation protocol that gradually increases intensity, range of motion, and progresses to sport-specific and neuromuscular control exercises. Eccentric strengthening exercises are used for management of proximal hamstring tendinopathy.
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The three muscles are the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus
There are three hamstring muscles at the back of the thigh: the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus. These muscles are used for standing, walking, running, jumping, and climbing stairs. They are also critical for more explosive actions such as sprinting and jumping. Hamstring injuries are common in athletes, especially those who participate in sports that require sprinting, such as track, soccer, and basketball. A pulled hamstring or strain is an injury to one or more of the muscles at the back of the thigh. Most hamstring injuries respond well to simple, nonsurgical treatments.
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They are used for standing, walking, running, jumping, and climbing stairs
There are three hamstring muscles at the back of the thigh: the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus. These muscles are used for standing, walking, running, jumping, and climbing stairs.
The hamstring muscles are critical for human activities, including standing and explosive actions such as sprinting and jumping. They are also used for other leg movements such as squats and climbing stairs.
The hamstring muscles start at the bottom of the pelvis and end near the top of the lower leg. They run down the back of the thigh and help control the hips and knees.
Hamstring injuries are common in athletes, especially those who participate in sports that require sprinting, such as track, soccer, and basketball. A pulled hamstring or strain is an injury to one or more of the hamstring muscles.
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Frequently asked questions
There are three hamstring muscles.
The hamstring muscles are located at the back of the thigh.
The three hamstring muscles are the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus.
The hamstring muscles help control the hips and knees, and are used for standing, walking, running, jumping, and climbing stairs.
A pulled hamstring is an injury to one or more of the hamstring muscles at the back of the thigh.
















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