I tore my left hamstring muscle in a football game last year. It's the start of training season. I'm worried about tearing it again. Are my risks of muscle injury greater because I've already had one tear?

Hamstring injuries are very common in sports. They occur most often in high-speed or high-intensity activities like football and soccer. The chances of reinjury are high among athletes in these sports.

There are ways to protect yourself from reinjury. Stretching before an activity is very important. In fact studies show stretching to increase flexibility also improves muscle performance. Factors known to put athletes at risk of injury include improper warm-up, fatigue, and poor body posture during running.

Paying attention to all these areas is a good idea, but stretching is number one. Tight hamstrings is the most important factor in hamstring injuries among athletes.