Abstract:2216 Fractures are common overuse injuries suffered by track and field athletes. PURPOSE: To evaluate the distribution and types of fractures sustained by track and field athletes at a Division- 1 uni...2216 Fractures are common overuse injuries suffered by track and field athletes. PURPOSE: To evaluate the distribution and types of fractures sustained by track and field athletes at a Division- 1 university, as well as assessing the risk of fracture by gender, class, weight, BMI, and event. METHODS: Track and field athletes who sustained fractures from 1988–2000 were identified through the Sports Injury Monitoring System. Event, gender, class, and body composition were recorded. Athletes were grouped into distance runners, sprinters, impact and other. The 2002–2003 track and field team was used as the control. RESULTS: From 1988–2000, 56 athletes sustained fractures. Thirty-seven were freshmen/sophomores, and 19 were juniors/seniors. Of the fractures, there were 26(46%) tibial, 11(20%) foot, 6(11%) femur, 5(9%) hand, 4(7%) fibular, and 4(7%) other. Forty-one (65%) athletes were distance runners. The average weight and BMI of the males and females were 62kg and 20kg/m2, and 55kg and 19kg/m2, respectively. Risk of injury was not influenced by gender (p>0.05), year in school (p>0.05) or height (p>0.05). Fracture athletes were generally lighter (males, p = 0.031 and females, p = 0.001). Athletes in distance events had more fractures (p = 0.001) while other events had similar rates of fractures (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Lighter weight athletes and distance event athletes have a higher risk for injury. BMI was related (males, p = 0.014 and females, p = 0.001), however the relationship is probably more due to weight. Hence, the training regimen of these athletes should evaluate the risk for stress fracture, complaints noted, and immediate examination made upon onset of pain.Read More