14/11/2025
Quad Injuries Explained📚
Quad injuries are one of the most common muscle issues in football, especially for players who rely on explosive kicking, sprinting, and rapid changes of direction. With Hannah Hampton now sidelined by a quad strain, it’s a good moment to break down what this injury actually involves — and what athletes should watch out for. 👇
🔍 What is a Quad Strain?
The quadriceps are a group of four muscles at the front of the thigh.
A strain occurs when these muscles are overloaded or overstretched, leading to microscopic fibre damage or, in more severe cases, a partial tear.
⚠️ How Quad Injuries Happen
Quad strains typically occur during:
• Sudden sprints
• Powerful kicking
• Explosive dives
• Fatigue in the late stages of a match
• Poor warm-up or strength imbalance between quads and hamstrings
Footballers — especially goalkeepers — are at higher risk because of repeated, high-force kicking and rapid acceleration.
🧠 Common Symptoms
Athletes often notice:
• Sharp pain at the front of the thigh
• A “pulling” sensation
• Pain when kicking, sprinting, or pushing off
• Tightness or tenderness when touching the muscle
These are early warning signs that should never be ignored.
🦵 What Effective Rehab Looks Like
Rehab isn’t just about rest — it’s about progressive loading.
A solid quad rehab plan should include:
• Early management to protect healing tissue
• Restoring mobility
• Strength progressions (isometrics → eccentrics → power)
• Running mechanics and change-of-direction drills
• Sport-specific progressions for safe return to play
The goal is to restore full strength, speed, and explosive power — safely.
📍 If You’re Experiencing Quad Pain…
A proper assessment can prevent a mild strain from becoming a long-term problem.
At our Farnborough clinic, we help footballers and athletes of all levels return stronger with tailored, evidence-based rehab.
Tap the link in our bio to book your assessment. ⚡️
