The Comparison of Sport Injuries of Professional and Nonprofessional track and field, in Iranian Female Students

Document Type : Original Article

Abstract

The aim of the research is to study the differences between sport injuries made at professional and 
nonprofessional track and field in Iranian female students. The present study is a descriptive and causativecomparative one, using retrospective technique. This study was conducted to determine the amount of injuries 
in professional and nonprofessional track and field female athletes participating in Country-wide Students 
competitions in 2009, and to compare the injuries in these two categories. The data related to all competitors 
including weight, age, athletic record, and also the type of injury and the location injured were recorded using a 
researcher-made closed questionnaire with Cronbakh α (α=0/9), the validity and reliability of which were 
reexamined on the statistical sample. The data were analyzed using U-man Whitney descriptive and inferential 
statistics and SPSS-11 software. Considering the findings of the research, no significant difference was found 
between the injuries in different body parts, in professional and non-professional groups. (p=0.577, u=170.5). 
Most injuries were that of muscle-tendon injuries, and the lower limbs were determined as the most vulnerable 
parts. In the present study, no significant difference was found between injuries in professionals and 
nonprofessionals. Perhaps one reason is that in Iran, athletes do not exercise constantly, and no demanding and 
exhausting exercise is done by track and field players. Further research should be done on the isssue to 
determine if there is any difference between professionals and nonprofessionals in terms of injuries, and for 
the reasons as well, to provide strategies to decrease the injuries in both groups. Results of this research can be 
used in pre-semester examinations to prevent from further subsequent injuries, considering the strategies 
available. Consequently, the most important usage of this research is to prevent the occurrence of subsequent 
injuries by identifying apt injured athletes, and to provide preventive strategies. 

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