Sports doctors warn Incorrect warming mostly cause serious injury

The most common football injuries and their causes
Today, the European Football Championship starts and many football fans will eagerly watch the matches of their team in the coming weeks. The University Hospital Freiburg takes the opportunity to inform hobby and amateur footballers on the risk of injury, which consists in kicking without adequate warm-up. Even amateur footballers should warm up before playing necessarily and stretch, stressed the university hospital in a recent press release.

Neither the professional players at the European Championships in France, nor hobby and amateur footballers are protected from painful incidents. But especially in the untrained state, footballers move quickly while playing injuries, so the announcement of the Freiburg University Hospital. "Especially during the current football season, on Saturdays and Sundays, there is an increased incidence of football injuries in our emergency department," reports Dr. med. Thorsten Hammer, Medical Director of the Surgery of the University Emergency Center Freiburg. Hammer is also team doctor of the Bundesliga SC Freiburg.

Amateur footballers often overestimate their own skills and also warm themselves to insufficient, which increases the risk of injury significantly. (Image: Andrey Popov / fotolia.com)

Injuries in football mostly without adversary contact
Injuries in football are not uncommon, but "unlike often suspected, only a maximum of 15 to 20 percent of all injuries happen through adversary contact, for example, in a foul in a duel" Hammer. According to the physician, the misjudgment of one's own state of training and the body's own fitness are the biggest source of risk. "If you start kicking again after a long break, you should not expect too much right away, but slowly get used to the former level of performance," the note in the Freiburg University Medical Center notes.

Inadequate and wrong warming up the biggest risk of injury
Much of the injury to football occurs, according to the medical profession by own fault. "Inadequate or even wrong warming up before the game or the training", according to Dr. Hammer is the biggest risk of injury. "At least as important is the stretching of the strained muscles after the training or game unit," Hammer continued. According to the expert, people who regularly play football should also be careful to exercise their entire muscles. Here, in particular, muscle groups that are often neglected in football, such as the outer sides of the thigh or the abdominal and back muscles, to strengthen and stretch.

Recovery periods are important
Proper warm-up and stretching before training or playing is, according to the Freiburg University Hospital "the most important thing", whereby "towards the end of the warm-up exercises also a few loose increases, sprints and stretching exercises" should not be missing. In addition, according to the experts, tape bandages or bandages can help to stabilize the hocks during the sport. Also important, however, is a sufficient recovery after the game. An active recovery of the muscles and joints can be supported, for example, by swimming, cycling or jogging. Last but not least, the experts warn athletes to fight to the point of total exhaustion. Because it significantly increases the risk of injury. The Freiburg physicians also advise soccer players to make sure they always drink enough. Because especially in hot weather, sufficient fluid is an absolute must and also prevent muscle injuries.

The most common soccer injuries
The University Hospital of Freiburg calls "muscle fiber tears on the thighs, calves and adductors" classic injuries of a muscular nature that can occur while playing football. Also, knee and hock joints are particularly susceptible to injuries to ligaments, capsules and menisci. Here, according to the experts, "most often cruciate ligament tears, Achilles tendon or external ligament tears occur." In fractures, such as fractures in the lower leg or tibia, it should be noted that they actually come mostly from the duel. The same applies to concussions, which often arise when two players clash at the header. In general, the risk of injury in football is also favored by poor space conditions. Particularly short artificial turf or dry, dusty places are here negative factors. "The duller the space, the higher the risk of muscle and ligament injuries," reports Dr. med. Hammer. (Fp)