Cause: If the force you put through a muscle exceeds its ability to absorb or dissipate it, your muscle will tear.

Cure: Acute muscle tears are extremely painful but respond well to good immediate management. The well documented Rest Ice, Compression and Elevation (RICE) strategy works wonders for this type of injury by restricting blood flow to the region, which prevents further inflammation. Test the muscle after 48 hours under a low load, before gradually building up the amount of weight you ask it to bear. Good guidance is essential on getting back to your best so seek out a physio for a more detailed plan.

Prevention: A thorough warm-up is critical in avoiding torn muscles. Making the collagen within the muscle more flexible before loading will increase its ability to absorb force. You can achieve this through gentle exercise to increase your heart rate and dynamic stretching. Static stretching before exercise has been shown to weaken muscle fibers, which could increase the risk of injury.