Track and field is one of the most widely participated sports in the world, incorporating athletes of all shapes, sizes and ability levels.  Many of the world’s most famous athletes either do or had participated in track at one point in their life.  As the basis for nearly every other sport, track and field teaches the importance of individual effort with respect to the entire team.  Due to the variety of events, the physical demands placed on the athletes covers an enormously wide range.

The explosiveness of any sprinting event make muscle strains an all-too-often occurrence.  These injuries can originate from improper training, lack of preparation for a competition or practice, failure of a previous injury to heal properly, or simply over exertion of the muscle.  Shin splints are also common.  Often, shin splints occur with athletes who run with their weight forward. 

For jumpers and vaulters, the speed involved makes them susceptible to all of the same injuries as the sprinter.  With jumping, the penultimate step (or the short step before the take-off) causes the horizontal force of the sprint to be transferred into the vertical force of the jump.  Unfortunately this causes a great deal of stress to be transferred down from the hip through the foot.  Patellar tendonitis, plantar fascitis, and “turf toe” may be seen frequently.

For throwers, the force used to excel the implement in throwing events is generated through creating “separation” or torque between the lower body and the upper body.  Low back injuries may result from poor technique, over-exertion, or improper preparation.  Injuries to the elbow including flexor tendon strains and capsular sprains are also common, especially with javelin throwers.  Hammer throwers often experience strains of the upper back and posterior shoulder musculature due to the improper “pulling” of the arm in contact with the handle.