If, like many a star-crossed professional athlete, you seem to suffer from more than your fair share of leg injuries specifically, injuries occurring between the knee and the ankle, such as an Achilles tendon strain, Achilles tendinitis or stress fractures-it may not rnerely be happenstance. Some people are more susceptible due to natural conditions or training practices. Here’s a list of risk factors and their suggested preventative measures, as reported in the Georgia Tech Sports Medicine and Performance newsletter.
- OVERUSE: Reduce intensity, volume and/or frequency.
- STRENGTH DEFICIT: Strength training (targeting calf muscles).
- LACK OF FLEXIBILITY: Stretching exercises before training.
- FLAT FEET/HIGH ARCHES/OVERPRONATION: Orthotics.
- INADEQUATE WARMUP: Incorporate stretching and sports-specific movements into warm up.
- ABRUPT INCREASE IN TRAINING INTENSITY: Increase training intensity by only 10 percent a week.
- TRAINING ON HARD SURFACES: Train on cushioned surfaces.
- INAPPROPRIATE FOO1’WEAR: Check shoes for wear.
- INAPPROPRIATE DIET: Monitor calories, carbs, protein, fat and calcium.