l ran distance for some 20 years and never heard of a long-distance runner injuring a hamstring. After a marathon, most have really painful quads, so obviously they are not as strong unless special strengthing is done for them.
OTOH, sprinters, who seem to have upper legs about as big as my waist seem to injure hamsprings frequently, at least the world class guys.
As exercising opposing muscles is important, and Iām sure they do so, why do they get these injuries so often? Is it the sudden starts?
Speaking only from my sprint & hurdle experience - the body mechanics are quite different. Long distance runners ideal running form usually requires them to have a smaller distance between each step and a low to the ground, quick cadence. The least amount of impact is desired in order to not overexert yourself - you have a lot longer to go than a sprinter.
Sprinters, on the other hand, focus on speed - alot of which is dervived from longer steps and lifting your knees much higher. The higher the knee comes up, the more momemtum it can create on the way down, thereby the more force it can create when your foot lands. The basic goal is to create as much power in each step as possible - so using the strongest muscles in the legs is needed.
seem to injure hamsprings frequently, at least the world class guys.