This is what causes a muscle pull

A muscle pull (strained muscle) is a stretch or tear in your muscle.

It can happen if you stretch your muscle more than it can withstand or place much force/weight on it.

Health specialists warn that you are more likely to tear your muscles if you do not do warm ups before exercise and you are also at risk if your muscles are tired or weakened.

The same could occur if you exercise too hard or too fast.

According to Bupa, the most common muscles to strain are those in your legs and back.

The muscles are made up of a band of fibres, which relax and tighten to enable you to move.

Common muscle pulls are:

1. Calf muscles at the back of your lower legs which help you to raise your heel.

2. Quadriceps muscles at the front of your thigh which help you to straighten your knee.

3. Hamstring muscles at the back of your thigh which help you to bend your knee.

4. Lumbar spine, which is the lower part of your back.

Muscle strains are graded by physiotherapists, depending on how severe they are:

1. A grade one strain is minor damage to your muscle fibres.
2. A grade two strain is a partial tear of your muscle.
3. A grade three strain is a full tear of your muscle.

Health professionals have it that the pain from a muscle pull could shortly afterwards but you should see a physiotherapist if symptoms persist.