From Track to Task
by Ally Folkert, DAT, LAT, ATC, CSCS
Track and Field athletes are required to explode, decelerate, absorb force, stabilize themselves, and produce power over and over again. While you might not be sprinting a 100m dash, launching a javelin, or clearing a hurdle, those same demands show up in your day-to-day work more than you might think.
Instead, this might look like controlling yourself down steps and ramps, carrying loads, pivoting, pushing, and reacting to dynamic environments. The setting may be different, but the physical expectations are strikingly similar. Different arena, similar physical demands.
Different But the Same
Track and Field isn’t just one event. It’s a collection of specialized movements, each requiring a unique blend of strength, coordination, and control. A hurdler must stay precise and rhythmic while clearing obstacles. A long jumper has to generate force and then absorb it on landing. A discus or javelin thrower relies on sequencing and rotational power to transfer energy efficiently. While the events may differ, the underlying demands remain the same. Industrial athletes face a similar challenge, performing a wide range of “events” throughout the day, each placing stress on the body in different ways.
Despite the difference in environment, both populations commonly experience:
- Hamstring strains
- Ankle sprains
- Hip discomfort
- Knee discomfort
- Low back fatigue
These injuries aren’t random. They’re predictable outcomes of repeated movement demands placed on the same muscle tissues over time.
Train. Recover. Repeat.
Ideally, both the Track and Field athlete and industrial athlete don’t wait for injury to occur to prioritize their conditioning and recovery. They build routines around similar principles, just applied differently in their environment:
| Track & Field Athlete | Industrial Athlete |
|---|---|
| Strength training to improve force production and load tolerance for sprinting, jumping, and throwing | Dynamic pre-shift warm-ups that prepare the body for the physical demands of the job |
| Mobility work to maintain stride efficiency, joint range, and fluid movement between events | Microbreaks and targeted stretches that keep joints moving well throughout the day |
| Recovery strategies to manage fatigue between training sessions and events | [D] Debriefing and Recuperating with sleep, nutrition, and hydration to stay ready for the next shift |
It’s easy as an industrial athlete to avoid these factors, but this leaves you at higher risk to develop both acute and overuse injuries and not reach your full performance potential. The good news? These predictable outcomes of repeated movement demands can be avoided when you are PREPARED. Yes, our handy acronym for daily ergonomic success applies here too!
Track and Field athletes succeed because they don’t just show up and perform. They prepare, recover, and repeat with attention to detail. Industrial athletes are no different in their high amount of physical demands, so why should the mindset on preparation be any different? By treating your body like an athlete would, we can reduce recurring injuries, improve performance on the job, and consistently maintain workload for the length of your career.
Ally Folkert, DAT, LAT, ATC, CSCS || With a Doctorate in Athletic Training from The University of Florida and Bachelors in Athletic Training from Grand Valley State University, Ally brings a diverse background to her tenure at Work Right ranging from working with high level college athletes to pickleball-loving snowbirds! Outside of work, Ally spends most of her time training for competitive beach volleyball and testing healthy recipes in the kitchen.
Be sure to check out our other blogs for further injury prevention education and tips for the industrial athlete from Work Right!