Citation

Benazzo F, Mosconi M, Zanon G. J. Sports Traumatol. Rel. Res. 2000; 22(3): 132-140.

Affiliation

Benazzo, F., Dipartimento di Scienze Morfologiche, Eidologiche e Cliniche, Sezione di Ortopedia e Traumatologia, 27100 Pavia, Italy

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Kurtis Publications)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Traumatic and overuse injuries are common in every track and field specialty. By an epidemiological point of view, we divided the injuries in acute and chronic and we analyzed the most frequently involved musculo-skeletal districts considering the different variables as specialty, age and sex. Furthermore, we evaluated the different muscular, tendineous, articular and osseous injuries. Particularly, we noticed that between the traumatic muscular injuries, those of the flexors of the thigh may reach 60% of the total muscular injuries above all between the sprinters and that the ankle and the knee are the most involved articulations in traumatic injuries. Between overuse injuries, Achille's tendinopathies, lumbar pain and stress fractures are highly represented in track and field traumatology. We individuated the pathogenetic moments of different musculo-skeletal injuries, evaluating the different phases of running, jumping and throwing to determine risk factors leading to injuries. Movements and actions, when taken to extremes, lead to injury; correct training and appropriate distribution of work loads during the season may prevent from overuse injuries. In conclusion, also extrinsic factors as materials and type of ground are important to improve sport performances and to prevent sport injuries.