How Likely Are You To Be Injured This Track Season?

Well, spring is around the corner, and track is underway! For the avid runner and athlete, we all know what that means.  Tis’ the season for pulled hamstrings and an assortment of other injuries affecting the low back, hips, and knees. Upwards of 70% of all runners during the season will develop some sort of injury from running! The source of most of these injuries: weak and “tight” hamstrings.

It is no wonder that the hamstrings are one of the leading causes of pain, as the hamstrings cross and control both the hip and the knee joints.  The hamstrings are actually a group of three muscles, which act together to extend the leg straight back, and bend the knee.  These three muscles play a crucial role in transferring the power between the hips and knee during walking, running, and jumping.

Since the main actions of the hamstrings are to bend the knee and extend the leg back, they are vulnerable to injury during the opposite movements.  While running, this would be when the leg is swinging forward and is straight.  This action requires the hamstring to lengthen and stretch.  If the hamstring is unable to stretch as required an injury can occur.

The good thing in all of this, is that there are three tests that you already know that can determine how likely you are of injury.

The first is the “toe touch.”  Stand up, feet shoulder-width apart, bend forward, and try and touch the floor.  You should at the very least be able to touch the tips of your fingers with the ground.

The second is a “knee to chest test.”  Lie flat on your back, grab one knee and try to bring the front part of your leg flat against your chest.  You should be able to do this without the opposite leg or hip coming off the floor, while it being pain and symptom free.

Finally, the last test is the ”lunge.”  Stand straight up, bring one leg as far forward as possible, try to maintain an upright position, and push off the forward leg to return to the standing position.  This motion should be easy and controlled.  You should not have any forward flexion of the upper body, pain, or balance issues.

Now I know some of you are saying, “I’ve never been able to touch my toes,” or “I can’t do a lunge.”  If you cannot perform any of these tests properly, you are far more likely to develop some kind of injury this season, just from your lack of mobility.  These 3 tests are basic functional movements, and you should be able to do them.  Start a routine of stretching and mobility, foam rolling, and hamstring exercises like the good morning and leg curls to help with flexibility and strength.   If after 2 weeks of this routine, pain or lack of flexibility remains, there is usually something more serious requiring treatment.  Treatment should be aimed at removing any dysfunction which is limiting your flexibility and strength.

In our office, we place an emphasis on restoring these basic movement patterns to give our patients the best possible chance at protecting themselves from injury, or returning you to activity as quickly as possible.  If you have questions or would like more information, feel free to call our office at 319-423-0925, or visit our website at www.thrivespineandsport.com.  Thanks for reading!