17 May Tips to deal with track and lacrosse injuries

Two common spring and summer sports are track and field and lacrosse.
Some of the injuries in these sports actually overlap because of the amount of running required in both.
Here are some common track and lacrosse injuries and how to deal with them:
* Shin splints – This is an overuse injury that can be extremely troublesome and painful if left untreated.
Many people think shin splints come from running on too hard of surfaces or simply too much running, and those are both common causes. However, they can also be caused by shoes that don’t fit properly, muscle weakness in then lower leg and pushing yourself too hard, too fast.
Distance runners are especially vulnerable, so they need to make sure to not increase the distances they run too quickly. Get on a good stretching program and wear proper shoes. Treat shin splints seriously because they can lead to stress fractures.
* Runner’s knee – This can be the result of muscle weakness, overuse or improper shoes. Replace shoes every 200-300 miles depending on the running surface and intensity of training. Specialized exercises, such as leg extensions, leg curls and others can help a person strengthen the knee and keep it on the right track.
* Thigh and hip strains – Stretching before and AFTER is important to help lengthen muscles and prevent injuries to the thighs and hips. Tendonitis, strains and IT Band Friction Syndrome can occur if hip or thigh problems progress.

At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com