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Preventing Soccer Injuries

Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world and the fastest-growing team sport in the United States.
The way football is played now was first codified in England. Nowadays, it is governed by the FIFA, "Fédération Internationale de
Football Association" (International Federation of Association Football.) The game is played now all over the world and competitions
are organized nationally, continentally and internationally. The most prestigious of football competitions is the World Cup, which is held
every four years.

Although soccer provides an enjoyable form of aerobic exercise and helps develop balance, agility, coordination, and a sense of
teamwork, soccer players must be aware of the risks for injury. The most common soccer injuries are lower extremity (human leg,
including the gluteal region, thigh and foot) injuries, upper extremity (the shoulder, arm, forearm, wrist, and hand) injuries, head, heck,
and face injuries. Sprains and strains, often around the knee and ankle, are very common in soccer. Player collisions — either full body
or kick collisions — can cause a wide range of injuries, including cuts, bruises, and concussions. Injury prevention, early detection, and
treatment can keep kids and adults on the field long-term.

Head, Neck, and Face Injuries

Injuries to the head, neck, and face include cuts and bruises, fractures, neck sprains, and concussions. A concussion is any change in
an athlete's mental state due to head trauma and should always be examined by a physician. Not all those who experience a
concussion lose consciousness.

New research suggests that soccer players are at risk of brain injury, especially those who head the ball a lot. Researchers in America
carried out tests on 38 amateur football players over the age of 30 who had played the sport since childhood. Doctors gave them MRI
brain scans and tests to assess their brain function. The players were asked to estimate the number of times they had headed a ball in
the past year. The research findings indicate a degree of brain injury not usually present in people who do not play soccer. Doctors
reported the condition to be a form of concussion known as mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). This can easily occur in soccer due to the
frequent impact of the head with a ball that can travel at speeds close to 100 kph.

How Are Soccer Injuries Treated?

Participation should be stopped immediately until any injury is examined and treated properly. Most injuries are minor and can be
treated by a short period of rest, ice, and elevation. If a trained health care professional such as a sports medicine physician or athletic
trainer is available to evaluate an injury, often a decision can be made to allow an athlete to continue playing immediately. The athlete
should return to play only when clearance is provided by a health care professional.

Some injuries can be treated with a short period of rest, which means that the athlete can continue to perform or practice some
activities with modifications. In many cases, pushing through pain can be harmful, especially for stress fractures, knee ligament
injuries, and any injury to the head or neck. Contact your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment of any injury that does not improve
after a few days of rest.
You should return to play only when clearance is granted by a health care professional.

How can soccer injuries be prevented?

A significant number of the injuries could be prevented if parents, athletes and soccer organizations employed the following safety
measures:
Maintain fitness. Be sure you are in good physical condition at the start of soccer season. During the off-season, stick to a balanced
fitness program that includes aerobic exercise, strength training, and flexibility. If you are out of shape at the start of the season,
gradually increase your activity level and slowly build back up to a higher fitness level.
Warm up and stretch. Always take time to warm up and stretch, especially your hips, knees, thighs and calves. Research studies have
shown that cold muscles are more prone to injury. Warm up with jumping jacks, stationary cycling or running or walking in place for 3 to
5 minutes. Then slowly and gently stretch, holding each stretch for 30 seconds.
Cool down and stretch. Stretching at the end of practice is too often neglected because of busy schedules. Stretching can help reduce
muscle soreness and keep muscles long and flexible. Be sure to stretch after each training practice to reduce your risk for injury.
Hydrate. Even mild levels of dehydration can hurt athletic performance. If you have not had enough fluids, your body will not be able to
effectively cool itself through sweat and evaporation. A general recommendation is to drink 24 ounces of non-caffeinated fluid 2 hours
before exercise. Drinking an additional 8 ounces of water or sports drink right before exercise is also helpful. While you are exercising,
break for an 8 oz. cup of water every 20 minutes.
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Task: Read the passage and answer the questions individually.

1. What are the two advantages of the sport described in the passage?
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2. What is the reason of some kind of change in an athlete’s mental state?
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3. When is it possible for a sportsman to continue playing?
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4. What kind of traumas will get worse if you go on playing sport paying no attention to them?
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5. What should football players do during the off-season?
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6. When should athletes stretch?
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ANSWER KEYS:

1. A) provides an enjoyable form of aerobic exercise; B) helps develop balance, agility, coordination, and a sense of
teamwork;
2. head trauma;
3. when clearance is provided by a health care professional;
4. stress fractures, knee ligament injuries, and any injury to the head or neck.
5. They should stick to a balanced fitness program that includes aerobic exercise, strength training, and flexibility
6. Before and after the training / game