Unfortunately, hamstring strains are both common and painful. They strike athletes of all sorts -- including runners, skaters, and football, soccer, and basketball players.
But what is a hamstring? It isn't actually a single ''string.'' It's a group of three muscles that run along the back of your thigh. They allow you to bend your leg at the knee.
During a hamstring strain, one or more of these muscles gets overloaded. The muscles might even start to tear. You're likely to get a hamstring strain during activities that involve a lot of running and jumping or sudden stopping and starting.
