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===Injury Risk and Prevention in Soccer===

Soccer Injury Risks and Prevention Background:
Sports expose a greater risk for injury. Most frequent injuries in sport are seen in soccer. Soccer depends on vigorous workouts with continuous change in direction and a great amount of loading action. Statistics have shown that 10-15 injuries may occur within the period of 1,000 hours of practice. The lower limbs tend to be most injured by sports especially in soccer. An important observation seen in Argentina soccer players is that often times these athletes are not only posing an injury, but with this injury they received their bodies are continuously being affected. They begin to lose conditioning due to the lack of training. It is important to prevent athletes from becoming hurt in order to prevent even more physical damage.

Common injuries:
The most common types of injuries include sprains, strains, contusions and abrasions. Sprains are a mild, moderate, or severe tearing of a ligament, strains are a result of overstretching muscle fibers and are measured based on its severity. Sports medicine information describes contusions as bruises, this can be caused through strong impact on the muscle and abrasions are a result of skin rubbing on a rough surface. One observation was of an elite female soccer player, she had experienced excessive pain to the point where she was no longer able to squat. She was diagnosed with a strain damaging her hamstring area. Another common injury is found on the fifth metatarsal, this may be caused by lighter or more flexible soccer boots (Shuen et. al., 88). It can also be caused by firmer natural or artificial surfaces which these players play in.

Prevention:
There are a variety of ways to prevent injuries in soccer. One of them is eccentric strength training this can help prevent hamstring injuries. Another is plyometric training and agility drills which can help prevent all injuries related to soccer example of hamstring eccentric plyometric exercise. To prevent ankle sprains, external ankle supports and proprioceptive coordination training can help greatly .Jumping and landing can also be improved through neuromuscular or proprioceptive performance (Gioftsidou et. al., 661). For proprioceptive performance a wooden table can be used to balance on, one leg is placed in the center and the individual practices balancing, the individual’s trial is done once the corner of the table touches the floor (Gioftsidou et. al., 645).

Correct and incorrect form:
As stated previously balance forms an important part of preventing injury. A study conducted by P. Malliou et. al., demonstrated positive effects of balance training and preventing injuries, a core exercise and an exercise that is considered a drill is the plank (Malliou et al., 103). For a drill and core exercise the plank can be used. Picture one demonstrates an arched back which can lead to damage on the intrinsic back muscles. The neck is also arched this can damage the neck muscles as well.

Treatment:
One form of treatment is cryotherapy, which includes the usage of ice Ice is applied through intervals, or through modern technology, the patient can choose cold laser therapy which includes multiple visits. Besides that the patient can also be offered aggressive manual soft tissue therapy and active care, this improves and strengthens muscle with stretching and encourages the assistance of a professional trainer.