It’s Football Season again!

Team players have already had a few matches by now, and are starting to notice aches and pains!

As the weather cools, even more men and women across the country are joining 270 million people across the globe, braving goosebumps on their knees, and chilblains on their hands to play the Beautiful Game.

Unfortunately, soccer injuries are all too common on the pitch.

Muscle injuries are common among soccer players. This type of injury is associated with a burst of acceleration or sprinting, sudden stopping, lunging, sliding or a high kick.

Ankle and knee injuries are particularly common – ligaments are strained, during cutting, twisting, jumping, changing direction or contact/tackling.

Groin pain is also an issue, with 1 in 5 players experiencing an injury in any one season.

Nearly half of all soccer injuries can be avoided

In most cases, injuries are caused by an underlying weakness or imbalance in the muscles of the leg, core, and pelvis.

Specialized exercises and training programmes designed to address the areas that are most vulnerable to injury during a game can dramatically reduce the risk of getting injured.

Your own physical fitness is the single most important factor in preventing soccer injuries

For instance, studies have found that —

  • Strength training can reduce the incidence of injury by nearly half (47%) compared to players who did no specific strength training.
  • 51% of hamstring injuries can be avoided with good proprioceptive programmes.
  • Among players who participated in pre-season proprioceptive training 3x a week, there were 7x fewer ACL injuries and an 87% decrease in the risk of ankle sprain.
  • Neuromuscular training for the knee can reduce the incidents of serious knee injury by 3.5x.

Whether you are an avid player or knock about with a ball as a pastime, injuries can be bad news. But a little knowledge and preparation can go a long way.

Look after yourself with Martin’s fact sheets

That’s why Martin has got hold of printable/downloadable fact sheets on the 6 most common soccer injuries, and how to both prevent and treat them.

These free fact sheets include prevention and treatment techniques for:

  • ACL Injury
  • Hamstring Strains
  • Ankle Sprains
  • Meniscus Injury
  • Groin Strains
  • Contusion Injury

These fact sheets are perfect for anyone who is interested in preventing injuries, treating injuries, and minimizing the risk of re-injury.

To access them, sign up for Martin’s monthly email newsletter at the bottom of this page.

If you want to understand more get in touch with Martin. A good preventative programme incorporating both strength and neuromuscular/proprioceptive training can help keep you in the game.

And be sure to check out Martin’s Facebook page where this month he is posting some fun and informative tips and tricks to help you stay safe on the soccer pitch.

Martin Kingston
07710 314432