How-To Overcome Injury in Triple Jump

As a Triple Jumper at a Division 1 University, I have dealt with my fair share of injuries. Some injuries I have handled well and others I have managed horribly. Today I will have a brief discussion about what kinds of injuries you should be aware of and some injuries that you will undoubtedly have to deal with.

My history with injury. I have been a relatively lucky lad when it comes to injuries in my life. I have never had a concussion or broken any bones but sports are a thing where injuries are inevitable. I suffered a stress fracture in my heel due to improper jumping shoes and spikes, I have had shin splints countless times, Achilles problems, fractures on my spine, and a torn groin.

SHIN SPLINTS

Chances are, you have probably had problems with shin splints in the past. Shin splints cause constant and grueling pain when running and jumping. All athletes deal with them but you can do you best to avoid them. Ibuprofen is a good way to work around shin splints if you have them already but not preferable to take regularly.

Keep up with the wear of your shoes. If you have bad running shoes or overused running shoes, the support will be gone and your shins will not be protected. If you start to feel shin pain in the middle of a training cycle, it could very likely be due to bad shoes.

Additionally, you should be stretching your Achilles, and calves daily. See your trainer for a rehab plan right when you feel pain, this will help you get rid of the shin splints without leaving practice.

SERIOUS INJURY

Anything worse than shin splints should be taken much more seriously. Unfortunately I have suffered from stress fractures on my spine and a torn groin in back to back seasons because I refuse to quit. While it is good to be the hardest working person in the room, it is bad if that work ethic injures you to the point on not competing. I trained and competed on both a torn groin and a stress fracture on my spine on different occasions and had hard and LONG recoveries. When I had a stress fracture on my spine, I took pain medication and was in severe pain on the 8 hour bus ride home from the last competition of the year. I went home and did physical therapy for months and it really hindered my training that summer.

When I had a torn groin, I was barely able to walk for months, it took me almost an entire year to get better because I refused to accept that my injury was as bad as it was. I continued to train on it because I thought I was tough. Injury is not something to take lightly. You will not be viewed as weak if you cannot do certain activities ast practice and rehab with a trainer is the best way to get better!

HAPPY JUMPING!

Tyler Lewis

LJ/TJ