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Preventing Soccer Injuries May be a Stretch

Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world. It's an intense sport with bursts of sudden speed. Players must also be able to stop suddenly, jump, twist, turn, and kick the ball while on the run.

Injuries are common among soccer players. Most of these occur in the legs with at least one-fourth affecting the thigh and groin. Efforts to reduce injuries are being made by coaches, players, and team trainers and physical therapists. In Belgium, a study to find risk factors for injuries was done.

Physical therapists measured leg flexibility in 146 professional soccer players before the season. The flexibility of four muscles was measured. These included the hamstrings (behind the thigh), the quadriceps (front of thigh), adductors (inner thigh), and calf muscles.

For each muscle, the players were divided into two groups. One group had no injuries, the other were injured during play. An injury was defined as any tissue damage that kept the player from practicing or playing soccer.

The researchers found that decreased flexibility of some muscles is a risk factor for injury. The injured group had less flexibility in the hamstrings and quadriceps muscles. Injuries to the muscle or tendinitis of the knee are common problems when these muscles are tight.

The authors of this study suggest preseason flexibility screening for soccer players. Finding players at risk for hamstring or quadriceps injury may help reduce these problems. Stretching may be the first step. Other studies are needed to prove that stretching prevents injuries.

References: Erik Witvrouw, PT, PhD, et al. Muscle Flexibility as a Risk Factor For Developing Muscle Injuries in Male Professional Soccer Players. In The American Journal of Sports Medicine. January/February 2003. Vol. 31. No. 1. Pp. 41-46.

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