INVESTIGATION OF THE PREPARATION AND INJURY PREVENTION STRATEGIES FOR YOUNG TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES IN JAMAICA

Abstract

The aim of the research is to review track and field training, care and rehabilitation programmes in Jamaican schools in order to characterize training regimes, injuries, and perceptions regarding the protocol for managing the care of student athletes. Methods and organization of the study: We collected qualitative and quantitative data from coaches and athletes about training, diet and injuries. We did a thematic analysis of the qualitative data, used descriptive statistics to analyze the quantitative data and the triangulation principle was then used to compare the data sets. Research results: We found that only 64.3% of athletes were pre-screened and discovered that hamstring injuries were dominant with shin and groin injuries also being common. The research also revealed that athletes ate poorly and coaches struggled with nutrition management, improper footwear and inadequate training surfaces. The conclusion: These young athletes undergo an intense training protocol and this coupled with no identification of pre-existing conditions, poor eating habits, and poor equipment make them susceptible to avoidable injuries. All coaches indicated gaps that require additional financial support and training to rectify.