Often if you pull a muscle badly, it will heal (initially) shorter and stiffer than before. That means that until you work it back in with a gradual increase in reps, range of motion and flexibility, it isn’t going to absorb as much energy from a flex of the related joint as it did before the muscle pull. That energy has to be absorbed by the next ‘link in the chain’ which is the tendon that connects the muscle to the bone. While the muscle is shorter, the tendon is stretched out longer for the same joint position, so under more tension, even as it is having to absorb more energy from a flex or shock. The combination of the two makes it more likely that you blow out the related tendon – at least until you restore the flexibility and range of motion to the muscle group.

I am beginning to wonder if our injury bug is traceable to our strength and conditioning program. We are hearing lots and lots about how much stronger guys are getting in the off-season, but if that is at the expense of flexibility then it may well be contributing to a much higher rate of joint-related injuries. No superstition required. Get AR to hire them a Pilates instructor.

he wasn’t perfectly fine if the tweak led to a ruptured achilles. It was a bad decision to let him back on the field, retrospectively.