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Musculoskeletal injuries in track and field: incidence, distribution and risk factors.
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1996
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Physical ActivityTraining HoursLower Limb TraumaInjury PreventionMusculoskeletal InjuriesOrthopaedic SurgerySport InjuryOveruse InjuriesKinesiologyMusculoskeletal DisordersSports MedicineMuscle InjuryApplied PhysiologySport ScienceHigh RiskHealth SciencesSport RehabilitationMusculoskeletal Injury PreventionKnee InjuriesRehabilitationRisk FactorsPhysical TherapyMusculoskeletal SurgeryAthletic TrainingMedicineSport-related Injuries
The study evaluated the incidence, distribution, and types of musculoskeletal injuries sustained by 95 track and field athletes over a 12‑month period. Using a retrospective cohort design, the study analyzed selected training, anthropometric, menstrual, and clinical biomechanical risk factors. Among 95 athletes, 72 sustained 130 injuries (76 % incidence, 3.9 per 1000 training hours), mostly overuse and recurrent, with leg, thigh, and knee injuries most common; injury patterns differed by event type, and older age, greater flexibility, and menstrual disturbances increased risk, indicating a high injury burden that may be predicted.
This study evaluated the incidence, distribution and types of musculoskeletal injuries sustained by 95 track and field athletes in a 12 month period using a retrospective cohort design, and analysed selected training, anthropometric, menstrual and clinical biomechanical risk factors. Overall, 72 athletes sustained 130 injuries giving an athlete incidence rate of 76% and an injury exposure rate of 3.9 per 1000 training hours. The majority of injuries were overuse in nature and approximately one-third of all injuries were recurrent. The risk of injury was not influenced by gender or event group. The most common sites of injury were the leg (28%), thigh (22%) and knee (16%) with the most common diagnoses being stress fractures (21%) and hamstring strains (14%). Injury patterns varied between event groups with middle-distance and distance runners sustaining more overuse injuries, and sprinters, hurdlers, jumpers and multi event athletes more acute injuries (p < 0.05). Increasing age, greater overall flexibility and a greater prevalence of menstrual disturbances were associated with a greater likelihood of injury. The results of this study show that track and field athletes are at high risk for musculoskeletal injury and that it may be possible to identify those who are more likely to sustain an injury.