Sustainable Injury Prevention and Athlete Health in Athletics: Long-Term Strategies for Sprint, Middle-Distance, Throwing, and Jumping Events (SDG 3)

Objective: This study aims to identify injury risk factors and occurrence across athletics disciplines (sprint, middle-distance, throwing, and jumping) and contribute to developing sustainable injury prevention strategies. Theoretical Framework: This research is based on sports biomechanics and training load theory, examining how biomechanical demands, training intensity, and loading patterns influence injury risks. It aligns with sustainable sports performance principles, emphasizing the need for event-specific injury prevention strategies to balance performance and long-term health. Methods: A quantitative, survey-based research design was employed, involving 440 athletes from various athletics disciplines. Data was collected via a 27-item questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS 26. Results: Injury rates varied by discipline, with hammer and javelin throwers exhibiting the highest incidence, while long-distance runners had the lowest. Most injuries occurred during the preparation phase, with pole vaulters having the highest rates. Injury locations were discipline-specific: shoulder injuries in throwing, back injuries in jumping, and leg injuries in running. Improper technique and inadequate warm-up were key risk factors in throwing and jumping, while excessive workload contributed to injuries in running. Injury patterns in athletics are discipline-specific, with biomechanical demands and training loads playing a crucial role. Findings highlight the need for sustainable injury prevention strategies, improved rehabilitation, and an optimized training-recovery balance to support long-term performance. Research Implications: Coaches should implement sustainable injury prevention strategies to promote long-term athlete health. Integrating evidence-based rehabilitation and workload management can reduce injury risks and enhance career sustainability. Originality/Value: This large-scale study provides novel insights into sustainable injury prevention across multiple disciplines. By analyzing injury patterns and training loads, it offers generalizable findings for optimizing sustainable training and rehabilitation. The results underscore that integrating sustainability into injury prevention enhances both performance and long-term athlete well-being.