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Soccer : The Beautiful Game
Author : Meryl Da Costa, Registered Physiotherapist, Clinic Manager Category : Exercise and Fitness
Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. It is a sport that demands bursts of speed and power as well as finesse, accuracy and endurance.
All players, regardless of age, gender, skill level & ability are at risk of injury. Injuries in soccer can occur for multiple reasons. These include:
· Improper equipment
· Poor heading/tackling technique
· Poor conditioning
· Over-training
· Poor nutrition, including lack of hydration
· Injuries that have not been properly rehabilitated
Most soccer injuries occur to the lower limb, and include muscle strains and ligament sprains, bruises, contusions and concussions.
The knee is a common area of injury. The most common injury that we see in the clinic is Patellofemoral Syndrome. It is described as pain that occurs in the front of the knee. It is worse with activity and better at rest. Bending, squatting and running aggravate and sometimes swelling may be present. There are many things that may cause patellofemoral pain, but ensuring flexibility and strength of the quadriceps can help to limit the pain. Ligament injuries are also very prevalent, especially in teenage females. The anterior cruciate is a ligament that provides stability to the knee with running, cutting and changing directions, again it is important that strength, flexibility and general fitness are maintained to limit injury.
In the ankle, sprains are the most frequent. They range from minor first degree sprains to major third degree sprains, where the ligament is completely torn. Swelling, pain and bruising are usually present. It is important that they receive medical intervention and be properly rehabilitated prior to returning to sport to prevent chronic problems from occurring.
Head injuries or concussions can occur in soccer. They usually occur in player to player contact. Symptoms of concussion include headache, ringing in the ears, confusion, dizziness, poor balance and coordination. If a concussion is suspected the PLAYER SHOULD NOT CONTINUE TO PLAY and should seek medical intervention immediately. They should not return to play unless they have been cleared by the physician!
How can you prevent injuries from occurring?
· Participate in a conditioning program to improve and maintain strength, flexibility and endurance
· Warm-up and stretch before and after practices and games
· Learn proper tackling and heading techniques
· Use proper equipment – ie Soccer balls should be properly inflated
· Maintain adequate nutrition and hydration
· Never participate in un-fair play as it can lead to injury
Again, have fun this summer and play safe. If you incur and injury while playing soccer, our physiotherapists can help to relieve your pain, build strength and increase your mobility. We can treat the injury and explain how to prevent it from occurring again.
