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ike other sports, track and field has its own methods for handling athletes’ injuries. When an athlete complains of cramped muscles or an injury a physiotherapy procedure must be performed.

One of the physiotherapists responsible for the treatment at the track and field arena, Ayu Rahmayana, said the preferred method was called RICE, or Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.

The four elements of therapy are the most important things when an athlete suffers either a minor or severe injury.

“Rest means resting the injured area. Ice means to compress injuries with ice cubes. Compression refers to binding the injury with elastic bandages to minimize movement,” said Ayu.

“The next step is elevation, which means keeping the injured area higher than the heart so as to facilitate the blood flow,” said Ayu.

She said after the RICE procedure was performed, a physiotherapist should prepare further measures.