When it comes to football, the thrill of the game can sometimes come with a price – injuries.
At North West Physio Lutwyche, we’re experts in treating common football injuries and helping players get back on the field, fit and ready for action.
Top 5 Common Football Injuries
Our practice regularly sees a range of football injuries. These often include:
- Ankle sprains
- Hamstring/groin and calf strains,
- Knee ligament injuries like ACL and mcl sprains
- Tendon overuse injuries
- Low back pain
How Do These Injuries Happen?
Most common football injuries are acute, meaning they happen suddenly due to direct contact with another player, or sudden actions like sprinting or changing direction.
Overuse injuries occur from the stress and strain placed on muscles and joints during the game.
Preventing Common Football Injuries
Prevention is always better than cure. That’s why we recommend a strong pre-season focus on strength training, a gradual increase in training load during the season, and implementing the FIFA 11+ program – a proven strategy to reduce football injuries by 30%.
Enhancing Performance and Preventing Injuries
In football, preparation and proper technique play a crucial role in preventing common football injuries. By starting with a proper warm-up, your body gets ready for the game. Activities that get your heart rate up and muscles warmed are key to reducing the likelihood of sudden injuries.
Mastering proper football techniques is next on the list. Proper running, kicking, and jumping techniques help to distribute the load evenly throughout your muscles and joints. This prevents overloading and potential injury, keeping you safe on the field.
Finally, strength, flexibility, and balance training play a significant role in injury prevention. A mix of exercises that improve hip and knee strength, core stability, and control over jumps and landings are essential. These exercises not only make you a better player but also build resilience in your body.
Together, these steps make up a comprehensive strategy for improving performance and staying injury-free in football.
Managing Fatigue, Dehydration, and Overtraining
Refuelling your body is essential to prevent injuries. Increase your water and electrolyte intake before and after training to ensure you’re getting enough protein for muscle recovery. Monitoring your training hours can help avoid overtraining, one of the biggest risk factors for common football injuries.
When to Consult a Physiotherapist
Regular check-ins with a physiotherapist can help prevent injuries and maintain your performance on the field. Pre-season screenings, a couple of checks during the season, and a good offseason combined with rest and light training are all beneficial.
Ready for a Successful Football Season?
Seek advice early from a club physio or strength and conditioning coach. Implement a plan at the start of the season, rest when you can, keep your hydration and food intake up, and seek advice on small injuries before they become big problems.
Your health is your most valuable player on the field, and at North West Physio Lutwyche, we’re here to keep you at your best. Book an appointment with us today for a personalised injury prevention or rehabilitation plan. Because in football, as in life, the best offence is a good defence.
