Athletes
experience running injuries every day, and these athletes are not just
runners. Common running related injuries can occur in athletes that
participate in any of the following sports: track and field, cross country,
basketball, baseball, soccer, football, and other activities where a
lot of running is required.
People are passionate about sports. This passion leads to dedication,
determination, and drive. Such determination and drive can lead to running
injuries regardless of the sport. Common runner’s injuries are
most often experienced by runners or individuals that participate in
track and field events.
Avid runners experience injuries that are unlike any other sports injuries.
A runner can hurt almost every part of the body, but most injuries occur
on the lower extremities. Some common injury areas are: the hips, knees,
hamstrings, legs, ankles, and feet.
One of the most painful running injuries is a hip injury. A hip injury
is usually caused by a pulled muscle or a tear in the cartilage in the
hip. Both of these types of hip injuries cause inflammation in the hip
area. The inflammation leads to pain, even with the slightest of movements.
Another painful injury that is experienced by some runners is a hamstring
injury. Hamstring injuries are the most common in sprinters or runners
that run at a fast pace. Some hamstring injuries require a doctor’s
care, but others just require a little rest and relaxation in order
for an athlete to achieve a complete recovery.
Knee injuries are also common running injuries. One of the most widely
experienced types of knee injuries is usually referred to as runner’s
knee. This term usually refers to inflamed tissue in the knee joint.
Running injuries seem to be most often located in the leg area. Some
runners suffer from shin splints, stress fractures, and ankle injuries.
Shin splints are treated with ice to cure the inflammation of the muscles
or the attachment of the muscles to the bone.
Stress fractures most often occur in long distance runners, and even
more often in female runners. These fractures are thought to occur most
frequently in endurance athletes with nutritional deficiencies or eating
disorders. The high occurrence of stress fractures in these particular
athletes is thought to be because of a lack of vitamins and other nutrients
that are needed for healthy muscles and bones.
Despite all of the injuries that can happen in people that run, many
individuals continue to pursue the sport. Running continues to be popular
for its health, heart, and muscle benefits.
There are a few steps that can be taken in order to prevent running
injuries and they are all important for good health and safety. First,
runners should be careful to eat the proper foods and maintain the right
nutritional levels. A runner should also remember to wear the right
footwear and stretch before each run. But most importantly, every runner
should remember to cross train and to run in different areas and at
various speeds.