Cyclical sports are known for placing mechanical load on the same tissues over and over again, which is why overuse injuries are so common in these activities. In long-distance running, it’s the lower extremities that need to bear and absorb most of the stress, and consequently, the legs are the most commonly injured part of the runner’s body. These are the most common running-related overuse injuries among runners.

Each year, around 50% of runners report an injury, and an even greater proportion experience a running-related injury at some point in their lives. In many cases, these injuries are not caused by a single event, but develop gradually due to repeated overload of muscles, tendons, and bones.