Physical Training For Soccer Players
Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world and is a great way to develop your balance, coordination, and teamwork skills. It is a high-intensity sport that involves a lot of rapid movement, endurance, and agility, and players can easily injure themselves in this fast-pace sport. Therapy and Sports Center can help you with your soccer physical training!
Injuries in soccer can occur both immediately, such as being kicked by another player or twisting your ankle, or over a period of time, such as straining muscles from overuse. Even though you are more likely to injure your lower body while playing soccer, upper body injuries are still possible.
Here are some common injuries that soccer players may face, potential treatments, and tips for avoiding injuries.
Common Soccer Injuries
Ankle Sprains
Ankle sprains are caused when you stretch or tear ankle ligaments by moving your ankle out of its normal position. As soccer players need to constantly use their feet, you can easily sprain your ankles just by running or kicking. Most mild ankle sprains can be treated with rest, ice, and over-the-counter medication, but more severe sprains that hinder your ability to move may need professional treatment.
Warming up before practice, making sure that you are wearing proper footwear, and improving your balance can help you avoid a future ankle sprain. Be aware of your body and surroundings as many ankle sprains can be the result of stepping on uneven terrain, running into other players, or ignoring muscle pain.
Knee Injuries
Soccer players are especially prone to knee injuries due to the start-and-stop nature of soccer, which can cause excess stress on your knees. The most common knee injuries are sprains or tears of knee ligaments, such as tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Some people may be at a higher risk for knee injuries, such as older people.
Knee injuries may not be obvious at first. You can reduce the likelihood of knee injury by stretching and by strengthening your legs and core with exercises like squats or planks so that your knees do not have to overcompensate for the lack of strength in the other parts of your body.
Mild injuries can be resolved with rest, but more severe injuries could need further treatment, such as surgery. Healing from knee surgery is long process and should be done under the supervision of a physical therapist who will help you regain strength and range of motion in your knee.
Muscle Pain From Soccer
Most people will have muscle discomfort at some point in their lives. Since soccer players are constantly engaging their lower bodies, you could strain your calves, thighs, or ankles. This is often caused by overusing those muscles, and constant overexertion can lead to chronic pain if not properly treated. Resting your body will usually resolve most cases of muscle pain, and using ice can help relieve the pain. If your pain is becoming chronic or does not improve with self-care methods, it could be a sign of more serious issues, and you should visit a physical therapist who can help diagnose the problem and treat it.
Lowering the intensity of your workouts until you build up more endurance can help reduce muscle pains. High-intensity interval training workouts can be easily adjusted to each person's stamina and are an easy way to build up your stamina. Be sure to allow yourself breaks in between workouts and stay hydrated.
When to seek professional treatment
Most injuries can be avoided with a proper warm-up and training regimen that allows you to slowly build up endurance, intensity, and stamina over time. When attempts at home to heal fail, it is best to seek the advice of professionals who can properly diagnose and treat your injuries. Furthermore, physical therapists and trainers can not only help treat your injuries, but advise you on how to avoid future injury or help you regain your strength with physical training.
Therapy and Sports Center offers a wide range of services and knowledgeable professionals who are eager to help. Contact us for more information and check out our four physical therapy locations!
Sports Therapy Locations and Services
Luckily, our offices have a wide range of certified specialists, so it is easy for you to find the best therapist for your particular needs. To learn more about our highly-qualified staff of sports medicine and physical therapists, or to schedule an appointment, contact us today!
We have four locations you can choose from: