The Problem of Recurrent Injuries in Collegiate Track and Field

Abstract

Background As with most sports, participating in Track and Field (T&F) has inherent injury risks and a previous injury often predisposes athletes to a greater future injury risk. However, the frequency and burden of recurrent injuries in collegiate T&F have not been closely examined. Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe the frequency and burden of recurrent injuries in collegiate T&F and compare differences in the time loss associated with initial and recurrent injuries by sex and T&F discipline. Study Design Descriptive Epidemiology Study Methods Data from the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program were analyzed to describe the frequency and burden of recurrent injuries in collegiate T&F between 2009 and 2014. Comparisons of recurrent injury proportions by T&F discipline were made using Injury Proportion Ratios (IPR) and injury-associated time loss comparisons by injury type and sex were made using Negative Binomial Regression. Results Four hundred and seventy-four injuries were reported, 13.1% of which were classified as recurrent injuries. T&F athletes who competed in jumps experienced a lower proportion of recurrent injuries (6.1%) than runners (14.6%) and throwers (19.2%) (Recurrent IPR 0.40, 95% CI 0.18-0.88, p<0.05). When controlling for sex and injury diagnosis, T&F athletes experienced 50% greater time loss from sport following a recurrent injury than an initial injury (95% CI 17%-107%, p<0.01). Conclusions Recurrent injuries in T&F athletes account for greater time loss than initial injuries, despite sex or injury diagnosis. The current study indicates a need for further research to assess factors contributing to time loss. Level of Evidence Level 3

A Big Data Survey on Lower Extremity Injuries and Prevention of Athletic Students in General Colleges and Universities

“…With the comprehensive development of track and field in general colleges and universities, more and more participants in track and field, and with the increase of track and field injuries, after searching the literature of Chinese academic journals network, we know that in track and field, lower limb injuries account for the most [4][5][6]. The incidence is very high, and some lower limb injuries begin to appear in the beginning stage of track and field, because of track and field lower limb injuries, so that track and field students in Training suffer from This not only seriously affects students' interest in learning athletics but also affects their use of lower limbs in daily life, and some even have fear and resistance to learning athletics because of these pains, which is not conducive to the promotion and development of athletics among students [7][8].…”