Physical therapy is critical to hasten and optimize recovery of the strained muscle. Return to play should be gradual without any vigorous activity initially. Hamstring strains can be further broken down into grade 1, 2, or 3 (mild strain to severe/tendon rupture). The overload can be caused by fatigue, poor form (running, jumping, etc.), poor flexibility, or muscle weakness. Hamstring strains, to put it simply, are caused by muscle overload. Strength, stability, and gait pattern changes are often necessary to prevent the problem from recurring.

Treatment includes lowering the amount of activity until the inflammation calms down, ice massage, calf stretches, and proper footwear. Shin splints, also known as medial tibial stress syndrome, can be caused by a number of things: overuse, tight calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus), weak anterior tibialis muscle, flat feet, and poor gait biomechanics. Treatment often includes RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), physical therapy, and rest. Patellar tendinitis is commonly caused by excessive jumping and landing, putting a lot of stress on the patella tendon as well as the quadriceps muscles.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee).

SLAP (superior labrum anterior to posterior) tears.

The most common injuries tend to be overuse injuries rather than acute injuries that are commonly seen in other sports. The highly competitive nature of the sport puts athletes at an increased risk for injury if proper precautions are not taken or if an athlete receives improper training. Track and field is a combination of running, jumping, and throwing. It wasn’t until the 1920s that it became an NCAA sport. Track and field did not make its debut in the United States until the late 1860s where it was considered an amateur sport only.

At the time, a stadium-length foot race was the original event.

This was the year of the very first Olympic games in Olympia, Greece. Track and field is a sport that has been around for thousands of years, dating all the way back to 776 B.C.

Kinect sports track and field