Causes of Soccer Injuries

Soccer is gaining extreme popularity all over the globe. While playing the soccer, players are quite enthusiastic and excited. Soccer is an excellent way to improve speed, build endurance and promote fitness. However, soccer is considered as a collision sport. It can give rise to a number of playground injuries. Some of the soccer injuries can be severe and life-threatening. Soccer injuries can be of two types: acute/traumatic injuries and cumulative/overuse injuries.

Common Soccer Injuries

Most of the soccer injuries are associated with ankle, knees and hip region. Major soccer injuries include sprains, bone fractures, sprains, muscle-tendon injuries, bruises and abrasions. Soccer players also get injuries to lower leg, upper leg and head. Some of the common soccer injuries are knee injuries, meniscus tears, concussion, muscle cramps, Achilles tendonitis, ankle sprains, knee ligament sprains, Iliotibial Band syndrome and muscular strains. Do you know what are the causes of soccer injuries?

Causes of Soccer Injuries

Acute soccer injuries result from sudden impact or force. Overuse soccer injuries are due to stress on muscles, joints and soft tissues. These injuries start as a small, but continuous pain and may result in serious injuries. Some of the major causes of soccer injuries are head to head contact with another player, heading the ball, being struck by a ball, falls and overuse.

Since in practice, soccer is played as a game of collisions, body-to-body contact with other players is unavoidable. Due to body collisions, there may be lower leg injuries. Muscle strains are another most common form of soccer injuries. It mainly affects hamstrings, groin muscles and quadriceps. Strains are due to constant stop and go movements or due to a longer stride. Soccer players generally get the fractures in the lower extremities. Fractures are due to contact with other players or falls. Sprains of knee and ankle are very common with soccer players. It can occur due to sudden stops or abrupt change in direction during the course of game.

Knee injury is one of the most common types of soccer injuries. These injuries occur due to sudden starts and stops while playing. Another serious soccer injury is head injury. Head injuries include eye injury, dental injury and brain injury. Closed-head injury is due to a collision between the players. Concussion occurs during heading the ball and collision with another player or a goal post. Repeated heading of the ball causes chronic brain injury.

Field condition is also responsible for soccer injuries. It includes a type of surface such as gravel, grass or artificial turf. If the playground has holes, then it can lead to fall injuries. If you are playing on the wet playing fields, then avoid using leather ball. It may get waterlogged and heavy. It can increase the risk of injuries.

How to prevent soccer injuries?

Soccer injuries are really serious and the player has to face long-term consequences. However, you can take some precautions for preventing soccer injuries. Warming up and stretching exercises are very important for your thighs, knees, hips and calves. Warm-up increases your body temperature and prepares your body for physical activities. If you feel ache in your any body part, then it should not be neglected. Have a rest and seek proper medical treatment. Enough knowledge of basic first aid is also a must. Keep appropriate preparations for emergency situations at the soccer ground. Wear shin guards to protect your lower legs.