This month's ACC Sport Sciences Webpage is devoted to the sport of track and field. The authors for this month come from Florida State who has one of the finest track programs in the country.

Eunice Hernández, athletic trainer for track at FSU, gives an excellent review on hamstring injuries. As she states, a hamstring strain to a track athlete can be a season-ending injury. It's very difficult to give the injury the proper rehabilitative attention and maintain the athlete's ability to perform at an elite athletic level at the same time. Eunice describes what preventative measures are taken at FSU so these serious injuries don't occur.

Melanie Weiner, FSU sports nutritionist, provides us with some insight on the nutritional needs of the track and field athlete. Competition day feeding and hydration are reviewed along with post-competition meals. She provides some great examples to follow. At the end, she comments on the nutritional requirements throughout the year and the changes in calories that are required.

The last article is provides by FSU track strength and conditioning coach Tyler Peacock. He gives us the strength and conditioning philosophy for the track and field program. He goes over the basic design and layout of the workouts for track and field. Track and field was one the first sports to have specialized programs designed for the special needs of the athlete. The workout for a sprinter is different from a distance runner because of the demands on different energy systems needed during competition.

Our final issue of the 05-06 year will be next month when Clemson University discusses rowing. Have fun outdoors!