A pulled muscle, especially involving the thigh, is a common injury among runners and people who play basketball, hockey or football. And while the injury can’t always be prevented, there are factors that increase your risk.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says you’re more likely to pull a muscle if:

• You have tight muscles that haven’t been properly stretched or conditioned.
• You have muscles that work together, such as the quadriceps and hamstrings, but one muscle in the tandem is weaker than the other. This is known as muscle imbalance.
• You have a fatigued muscle that is no longer able to properly absorb energy when you run or play sports.