For sprinters and runners on flat ground, Achilles tendinitis is a serious enough problem.
However, for hurdlers it is even more common and can see them sitting out of action for months on end if not identified early enough.
Achilles tendinitis is an overuse injury and many runners pick it up at some point in their career.
What usually happens is that training and competition eventually take their toll and the stress that is being put on the Achilles tendon builds up until theirs swelling and mild discomfort.
Unfortunately for hurdlers, they put even more stress on their tendons by jumping and landing over hurdles, meaning they're even more susceptible to the injury than flat runners.
But what can a hurdler do to reduce their risk of picking up Achilles tendinitis? For starters, they can do all the things that sports science and top coaches advise i.
e.
warm up properly, don't overtrain and always ensure you have the correct footwear to compete in that offers the right level of support.
Additionally, hurdlers should also practice their technique to ensure they both leave and return to the ground in the correct manner.
Good technique means less stress is put on the muscles and the likelihood of developing Achilles tendinitis is significantly reduced.
Equally important for athletes to remember is that once they start to feel pain in the back of their lower leg, they should immediately stop training.
Identifying Achilles tendinitis early can be the difference between a week of rest and a year of arduous rehabilitation to get back to top performance.