Soccer ankle woes linked to uneven feet
Source: Agencies |
June 26, 2012, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
PROFESSIONAL soccer players are much more likely to suffer ankle sprains when one foot is stronger than the other, according to a Greek study.
Ankle sprains occur when a ligament in the joint is over stretched or torn, often from a sudden twist or awkward landing. They are among the most common injuries in soccer and can lead to pain and stability problems lasting months or even years for some.
Though there have been many studies into why athletes suffer sprains, few have focused on soccer players, said George Vagenas, from the University of Athens and lead researcher, and colleagues, who published their findings in the American Journal of Sports Medicine.
The researchers did preseason tests of ankle strength and stability in 100 players from four professional soccer teams in Greece, then followed the players over the next 10 months to see who would get hurt on the field.
Seventeen players suffered one or more non-contact sprains during the season. Those with considerable strength differences between their left and right ankles were nine times as likely to suffer sprains as those with same-strength ankles.
When a player cuts or lands from a jump, it's important to have symmetrical activation of the two sets of ankle muscles to help the joints absorb the impact and prevent damage, Vagenas said.
Experts said the report has an important message for amateur athletes as well.
"This study does suggest that if soccer players want to lower their risk of suffering ankle sprains, then they should strengthen their ankle musculature evenly, so that they have a good balance between both legs," said Erik Wikstrom at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Ankle sprains occur when a ligament in the joint is over stretched or torn, often from a sudden twist or awkward landing. They are among the most common injuries in soccer and can lead to pain and stability problems lasting months or even years for some.
Though there have been many studies into why athletes suffer sprains, few have focused on soccer players, said George Vagenas, from the University of Athens and lead researcher, and colleagues, who published their findings in the American Journal of Sports Medicine.
The researchers did preseason tests of ankle strength and stability in 100 players from four professional soccer teams in Greece, then followed the players over the next 10 months to see who would get hurt on the field.
Seventeen players suffered one or more non-contact sprains during the season. Those with considerable strength differences between their left and right ankles were nine times as likely to suffer sprains as those with same-strength ankles.
When a player cuts or lands from a jump, it's important to have symmetrical activation of the two sets of ankle muscles to help the joints absorb the impact and prevent damage, Vagenas said.
Experts said the report has an important message for amateur athletes as well.
"This study does suggest that if soccer players want to lower their risk of suffering ankle sprains, then they should strengthen their ankle musculature evenly, so that they have a good balance between both legs," said Erik Wikstrom at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
