Football is one of the most popular sports in Ireland, which means that football related injuries are quite common. As with any sport, there are certain injuries that are more common than others in football. So in this blog, we’re going to look at what the most common injuries are and how to prevent them.
Due to the nature of the game, most football injuries are confined to the lower extremities. Anything below the waist is more at-risk due not only to the fact that the legs are used the most, but also because they are more likely to be hit by other players. Sprains and tears are two of the most common injuries that a player can inflict upon themselves, while fractures and contusions (e.g. bruises) are the most common injuries that can be inflicted by someone else.
In order to prevent injuries like sprains and tears, it is important to warm up before playing a match. These injuries occur as a result of undergoing sudden strain without being prepared beforehand, so a warm up can drastically reduce their occurrence.
Other common injuries to the lower extremities are overuse injuries. These include things like shin splints, which occur as a result of inflammation around the tibia. It is a very common injury among runners, so it is no surprise that it is also quite common with football players. Other overuse injuries include Patellar tendinitis & Achilles tendinitis, which are the result of swelling around the knee and ankle respectively. Stress fractures are also common due to the effects that running has on our bones. For these reasons, it is important to avoid the temptation to overtrain. Due to the fact that football is a hobby, as well as a competitive pastime, many players are inclined to practice as much as possible. This can increase the likelihood of injury, and leads to long recovery times.
Although injuries are more common in the lower extremities, they are not confined to that area. Because of the way football is played, many of the injuries to the upper half of the body are the result of falling during the game. These are often shoulder or wrist injuries that occur from falling and landing on your arms, twisting them at an awkward angle. Head and neck injuries are also a common result of falling, and can be more serious than the any of the other injuries listed above. Injuries such as concussions or neck sprains need to be treated seriously and should be examined by medical personnel.
These injuries are more difficult to prevent as they are not the result of a lack of preparation. While many of the other injuries mentioned are a direct result of the player either not warming up or not resting enough, the injuries that are sustained in the upper extremities tend to be sudden and unpredictable. The best approach to these injuries is to be aware of your surroundings and to know when something can be shaken off, and when it is time to leave the pitch. The excitement of the game may tempt many people to try and play through the pain, but with both the overuse injuries and the physically traumatic injuries, the best course of action to ensure that you can keep playing is to know when to take a break.