It appears you have not yet registered for SparkPeople. To get a free nutrition and fitness plan and join our community click here....

SparkPeople Sponsors help keep the site free!

Health A-Z

Medical Content Created by the Faculty of the
Harvard Medical School

What Is It?

Shin splints are injuries that commonly occur in runners. They cause pain along the inner side of the shinbone (tibia).

Shin splints develop because of overuse of the posterior tibialis muscle in the lower leg near the shin. In most cases, this overuse is related to a sudden increase in the intensity of an athlete's training program — suddenly running faster, farther or for longer periods than before. When shin splints first appear, the leg pain tends to start near the end of a training session. However, if the athlete ignores the pain tries to "run through it," symptoms eventually will begin earlier and earlier during training, until they affect the athlete's overall performance.

Although shin splints are most common in runners, they also can occur in basketball players, soccer players and other athletes in sports that require periods of intense or prolonged running. Even walkers are at risk if they walk too fast or too far.

Page 1 of 9     Next Page:  Shin Splints Symptoms >
 
Add This to My SparkFavorites
  Click here to to redeem your SparkPoints
  You will earn 3 SparkPoints
 
SHARE
 
From Health A-Z, Harvard Health Publications. Copyright 2007 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Written permission is required to reproduce, in any manner, in whole or in part, the material contained herein. To make a reprint request, contact Harvard Health Publications. Used with permission of StayWell.

You can find more great health information on the Harvard Health Publications website.


Today On SparkPeople
Featured Article
SparkPeople's 500-Calorie Thanksgiving Feast

80% of SparkPeople members try to cook healthier versions of holiday favorites, according to a recent poll. Eat better this Turkey Day with these nine exclusive recipes that are BIG on taste and tradition but low in calories.

Read More
MessageBoard Hot Topics
Top Searches
Modified Pushups on Foam Roller
This Pilates-style pushup is great for the triceps!
Featured Recipe
Chef Meg's Zucchini Muffins
Submitted By: CHEF_MEG

These muffins are very filling!

The whole wheat flour makes for a dense muffin, which I like. You only need to eat one! If you want a lighter muffin try using whole wheat pastry flour, which is more finely ground and available in the bulk bins at larger grocery stores.

See This Recipe on SparkRecipes
Activity Stats
  • Calories Burned: 6,933,975,912
  • Pounds Lost: 9,211,296
  • Cups Water Drank: 213,112,987
  • SparkAmerica Minutes: 940,821,286
Join SparkPeople For Free!
Get a personalized diet and fitness plan, great newsletters, post to our message boards, and even your own personal SparkPage!

Join Now For Free!