Injuries are an inevitable part of sports, no matter how careful and attentive one is while performing. This is something that an athlete has to go through in his or her career someday or another. Tia Jones, one of America’s most promising track and field athletes, also met with a similar fate during the USATF Indoor Championships finals last month.

She collided with the crash pads, rolled down the embankment, and injured her anterior cruciate ligament. Jones was doing well in the event, and she also tied the world record in the 60-meter hurdles category after the runner clocked a blazing finish of 7.67 seconds.

Injury Epidemic: A Notable Concern for Tia Jones

However, it was the same event that led to Tia Jones’ injury and ultimately turned out to be the reason for her elimination from the World Athletics Indoor Championships the following month. Well, the 23-year-old track and field sensation is not the only victim of the anterior cruciate ligament, as approximately 150,000 Americans also suffer from the same fate per year.

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which helps stabilize the knee, can be really excruciating when it gets injured. Nata.org provided a detailed overview of the injuries and how to avoid them, and it can really help athletes like Jones who have to stay agile during their track and field performances. Some studies believe that the major factors behind the injury can be both internal and external.

One of the external factors here can be any instance where a person’s coordination is disturbed right before landing or decelerating, which possibly happened in the Jones case. Athletes who suffer from an ACL injury are also more likely to develop arthritis issues later on. It was also reported that female athletes are more exposed to such injuries than male ones. However there are numerous ways to prevent such injuries.

There is a way to get away with these injuries

As they say, prevention is better than cure, as is the case with ACL injuries as well. Exercises like plyometrics, balance, and strengthening/stability can help manage the knee better as they provide better nerve and muscle control. Plyometric exercises, in particular, focus on the contraction and expansion of muscles that provide strength to the muscles.

On the other hand, balance training uses a wobble or a balance board in which an athlete performs dedicated drills of throwing a ball with the help of a partner while maintaining balance on one leg in the meantime. Jumping and balancing on one leg can also help improve the core strength and stability of the knee.

Read More: “It Breaks My Heart”: American Track and Field Star Anna Hall Announces Rough Start to 2024 After Injury With a Humbling Message