PG the PT – Hamstrings too tight?

Hamstring pulls are the bane of many GAA players

In his column in this week’s Gaelic Life, Pauric Grimes answers two questions from the many that he has been asked on social media of late.

One issue which comes up regularly is that of hamstrings, and the best stretches to do to deal with them.

For those players who think their hamstrings are too tight, the first thing he asks is ‘are you sure that it is your hamstrings?’.

If you are, then there are a few tips that you must listen to.

“Don’t force the stretch. Stretching too forcefully or too quickly will activate a ‘stretch reflex’, which increases muscle tension and resists the stretch.

“Work other areas first to relax the hamstrings. As I mentioned earlier, the source of your flexibility issues could be the result of the other areas of your body, rather than just your hamstrings.”

Read the rest of his tips about hamstrings, and also find out what he has to say about how long you should eat before training, in the current issue of Gaelic Life.