Focused Training for Soccer Injury Prevention

Training coaches may help prevent long-term injuries and career burnout in athletes.

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury has an annual incidence of more than 200,000 cases, with nearly 150,000 of those occurring while playing agility sports such as soccer. Of that number, an estimated 70% of ACL injuries are sustained as the result of non-contact issues such as insufficient strength and poor form. In an effort to drive down these numbers, sports teams and physicians are beginning to implement early training programs in youth sports. If you or someone you love is in need of soccer injury prevention insight, read on for a summary of the initiative from the experts at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute.

What Is An ACL Injury?

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) runs diagonally within the middle of the knee. Its function is to prevent the tibia from sliding out in front of the femur, as well as providing rotational stability to the knee. An ACL injury occurs when this ligament is stretched too far or torn as the result of force or improper movement. Soccer injury prevention focuses heavily on protecting the ACL, because this type of injury, as well as the taxing rehab process that accompanies it, can quickly sideline a soccer player.

Soccer Injury Prevention Through Better Training...For Coaches!

It has long been known that long-term implementation of preventive training programs (including jump training, strengthening, and proper movement techniques) for young athletes can reduce injuries and improve performance. Unfortunately, these soccer injury prevention exercises and training methods have always been implemented by healthcare professionals, which is not a feasible, long-term option for most sports programs due to their time-intensive nature and cost.

To bypass these concerns, a new study out of Drexel College of Medicine provided training for the coaches of the teams, which was then intended to be passed down to the players. The study found that, when coaches receive even a small amount of preventive training education, they can be as effective as athletic trainers at improving movement behaviors and preventing common injuries in young soccer players. As this targeting of youth populations spreads, their form and function will improve, preventing the bad habits that lead to injury both now and as their careers progress.

Help For Other Soccer Injuries

Preventive training programs don’t just help with ACL injuries. They provide soccer injury prevention across the board for any injuries that can occur while running, twisting, pivoting, jumping and landing. These include:

• Ankle and knee injuries: These injuries most often result from sudden stops or turns. Sprains and strains in the ankle tend to be more prevalent in boys while knee injuries (especially those ACL sprains and tears) are more common among girls.

• Heel pain: This may occur due to overuse, or it may be the result of irritation of the growth plate of the heel bone.

• Head injuries: Athletes may sustain a concussion after colliding with another player or hitting the ground. All concussions are potentially serious injuries that affect brain function, so they require immediate professional medical attention.

• Mouth, face, and teeth injuries: These include bitten tongues and/or cheeks, damaged or lost teeth, and fractures in facial bones. Due to their proximity to the brain, any injury to the face or mouth should also be examined for concussion symptoms.

The main goal of any soccer injury prevention initiative is to minimize risk, maintain health, and ensure the longevity of the athlete’s career for as long as she or he desires it. By intervening with athletes while they are young, coaches and medical professionals are helping more than ever to set their students up for success.

If you have any questions about your risk of injury or if you are experiencing any pain while you play, your first step should be to consult your physician right away. For more specialized treatment, visit us here or contact us at 1-800-321-9999.