The claim is that the evidence is very weak in that injuries tend to occur much later in an exercise session or match event.
I am not sure about research evidence, however the physiological mechanisms associated with a warm up should rationalise the use of a warm up prior to any exercise session or match event.
I think it would be difficult to manage variables and find a direct causal relationship for a study on injury incidence.
This is an interesting read; it suggests that warm up are essential.
http://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00007256-198908040-00004
and a more recent one
http://natajournals.org/doi/abs/10.4085/1062-6050-48.4.08
There are only 2 prospective studies I am aware of:-
Hartig DE, Henderson JM. Increasing hamstring flexibility decreases lower extremity overuse in military basic trainees. Am J Sports Med1999;27:173–6.
Askling C, Karlsson J, Thorstensson A. Hamstring injury occurrence in elite soccer players after preseason strength training with eccentric overload. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2003;13:244–50.
There are 2 good reviews:-
Petersen J, Hölmich P Evidence based prevention of hamstring injuries in sport. Br J Sports Med 2005;39:319-323 doi:10.1136/bjsm.2005.018549 Review
Brooks JHM, Fuller CW, Kemp SPT, Reddin DB. Incidence, risk, and prevention of hamstring muscle injuries in professional rugby union.
The American Journal of Sports Medicine 2006; 34(8):1297-306.
Abstract: The incidence of hamstring muscle injuries in professional rugby union is high, but evidence-based information on risk factors and injury-prevention strategies in this sport is limited.
To define the incidence, severity, and risk factors associated with hamstring muscle injuries in professional rugby union and to determine whether the use of hamstring strengthening and stretching exercises reduces the incidence and severity of these injuries.
Cohort study (prevention); Level of evidence, 3.
Team clinicians reported all hamstring muscle injuries on a weekly basis and provided details of the location, diagnosis, severity, and mechanism of each injury; loss of time from training and match play was used as the definition of an injury. Players' match and training exposures were recorded on a weekly basis.
The incidence of hamstring muscle injuries was 0.27 per 1000 player training hours and 5.6 per 1000 player match hours. Injuries, on average, resulted in 17 days of lost time, with recurrent injuries (23%) significantly more severe (25 days lost) than new injuries (14 days lost). Second-row forwards sustained the fewest (2.4 injuries/1000 player hours) and the least severe (7 days lost) match injuries. Running activities accounted for 68% of hamstring muscle injuries, but injuries resulting from kicking were the most severe (36 days lost). Players undertaking Nordic hamstring exercises in addition to conventional stretching and strengthening exercises had lower incidences and severities of injury during training and competition.
The Nordic hamstring strengthening exercise may reduce the incidence and severity of hamstring muscle injuries sustained during training and competition.
Prof W Angus Wallace
I would agree that the literature is not robust about effectiveness of typical warm-ups (especially non-streching). The wear and tear on the muscles, as I understand it, can lead to fatigue.
I woukd also point you towards the FIFA11+ programme (see link provided above by John William) which has been designed to attempt reducing lower limb injuries occurrence in women football primarily. Here is the official website
http://f-marc.com/11plus/home/
Best of luck
Try -- Hope these help.
(1) Chaouachi A, Castagna C, et al, Effect of warm-ups involving static or dynamic stretching on agility, sprinting, and jumping performance in trained individuals.
2010 Aug;24(8):2001-11.
(2) Shellock FG, Prentice WE. Warming-up and stretching for improved physical performance and prevention of sports-related injuries. Sports Med. 1985 Jul-Aug;2(4):267-78.
(3) Carl Shearer. Injuries in youth sport: An evidence-based injury prevention warm-up. BCMJ, Vol. 52, No. 5, June 2010, page(s) 260 Council on Health Promotion
(4) Torbjørn Soligard, Grethe Myklebust, et al. Comprehensive warm-up programme to prevent injuries in young female footballers: cluster randomised controlled trial. BMJ 2008;337;a246
(5) Torbjørn Soligard, Agnethe Nilstad,. Compliance with a comprehensive warm-up programme to prevent injuries in youth football. Br J Sports Med June 15, 2010
I would agree that the literature is not robust about effectiveness of typical warm-ups (especially non-streching).
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