3Who Are At Risk?
IT band syndrome can affect anyone. The condition is particularly common in hikers, cyclists, and runners. Those athletes who have to use their knees a lot like weightlifters, field hockey players, footballers, basketball players are also more likely to develop the injury. In many cases, those who get the condition tend to be young athletes or those who work out frequently.
It is mostly due to training mistakes that can be corrected easily. These include straining the body, pushing past the limits, not cooling down or warming up properly, wearing improper shoes, not resting enough in between workouts, training on unsuitable surfaces, using an incorrect form, and increasing intensity too quickly. Some other risk factors for developing IT band syndrome include weak muscles in the glutes or abdomen, prior or preexisting injury, excessive sitting, lack of flexibility, knee arthritis, bowlegs, flat feet, and unbalanced leg lengths. [3]
