Injuries in Athletics (Track and Field): A Narrative Review Presenting the Current Problem of Injuries
Authors:   University Hospital of St. Etienne, St, Etienne, France, Edouard Pascal , Dandrieux Pierre-Eddy ,   Université Jean Monnet Saint-Etienne, Lyon, France,   Université Savoie Mont-Blanc, Inter-university Laboratory of Human Movement Biology (EA 7424), 42023, Saint-Etienne, France, Iatropoulos Spyridon ,   Université Jean Monnet Saint-Etienne, Lyon, France,   Université Savoie Mont-Blanc, Inter-university Laboratory of Human Movement Biology (EA 7424), 42023, Saint-Etienne, France, Blanco David ,   Physiotherapy Department, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain, Branco Pedro ,   European Athletics Medical & Anti-Doping Commission, European Athletics Association (EAA), Lausanne, Switzerland, Chapon Joris ,   Université Jean Monnet Saint-Etienne, Lyon, France,   Université Savoie Mont-Blanc, Inter-university Laboratory of Human Movement Biology (EA 7424), 42023, Saint-Etienne, France, Mulenga Davie ,   Sports Physiotherapy Association of Zambia (SPAZ), Lusaka, Zambia, Guex Kenny ,   Swiss Athletics, Département Sprint/Haies/Relais, Haus des Sports, 3063 Ittigen, Switzerland, Guilhem Gael ,   French Institute of Sport (INSEP), Laboratory Sport, Expertise and Performance (EA 7370), Paris, France, Jacobsson Jenny ,   Athletics Research Center, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden, Mann Robert ,   Children's Health and Exercise Research Centre, Department of Public Health and Sport Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, UK, McCallion Ciara ,   Athletics Ireland, Northwood Court, Northwood Business Campus, Santry, Dublin, Ireland, Mosser Constance ,   Université Jean Monnet Saint-Etienne, Lyon, France,   Université Savoie Mont-Blanc, Inter-university Laboratory of Human Movement Biology (EA 7424), 42023, Saint-Etienne, France, Morin Jean-Benoit ,   Université Jean Monnet Saint-Etienne, Lyon, France,   Université Savoie Mont-Blanc, Inter-university Laboratory of Human Movement Biology (EA 7424), 42023, Saint-Etienne, France, Prince Caroline ,   Université Savoie Mont Blanc, Laboratoire Interuniversitaire de Biologie de la Motricité, EA 7424, F-73000 Chambéry, France, Ruffault Alexis ,   French Institute of Sport (INSEP), Laboratory Sport, Expertise and Performance (EA 7370), Paris, France, Timpka Toomas ,   Athletics Research Center, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden, Alonso Juan-Manuel ,   Sports Medicine Department, Aspetar, Qatar Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar, Tsukahara Yuka ,   Department of Sports Medicine, Tokyo Women's College of Physical Education, Tokyo, Japan, Navarro Laurent ,   Mines Saint-Etienne, Univ Lyon, Univ Jean Monnet, INSERM, U 1059 Sainbiose, Centre CIS, F-42023 Saint-Etienne, France, Hollander Karsten ,   Institute of Interdisciplinary Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
Published: June 2024

Objective: In Athletics (Track and Field), athletes can be affected by injuries, especially in their quest for top performance. Therefore, we aim to provide an overview of the current knowledge about the problem of injuries in Athletics. Main findings: It is necessary to maintain a clear definition of “injury” when stakeholders in Athletics discuss clinical, administrative, and/ or research perspectives. There are several possible methodological approaches to collect injury data in Athletics depending on the context, population, and injury definition. In general, about two thirds of Athletics athletes sustain at least one injury during an Athletics season, and there are about 100 injuries per 1000 registered athletes during an international championship. The injury rates and characteristics vary by sex and discipline. The injuries can affect athletes physically, psychologically, and socially, with short- and long-term consequences for musculoskeletal function, athletics performance and athletics career. Although it is logical to try to reduce the injury risk, little scientific evidence is currently available to help Athletics-related stakeholders. Conclusions: Injury can currently be considered as an omnipresent problem in Athletics, which affects their practice, with consequences on performance and health. Injury risk is today an undeniable part of the life of Athletics athletes, which implies that there is a pressing need to continue the development of injury risk reduction strategies, to scientifically evaluate their efficacy, and to implement them in sports practice.