| Soccer is a very intense sport with a degree of | | | | imbalance and tightness. A series of stretching |
| physical contact involved. This applies to all levels of | | | | exercises should form part of any warming up or |
| the game and injuries can happen in both professional | | | | cooling down routine carried out before and after any |
| and amateur level. When a person undergoes any | | | | period of exercise. This is known as a warm up and |
| period of prolonged physical activity there is always a | | | | warm down and both have equal importance. |
| risk of sustaining injury. The risk of injury is relatively | | | | Equipment can have a big impact on the likelihood of |
| low for most soccer players and there are steps that | | | | sustaining a soccer injury. Using the correct footwear |
| can be taken to further reduce it. | | | | and protective equipment is very important in contact |
| By learning how to prevent soccer injuries, you can | | | | sports. The appropriate soccer shoes should be worn |
| minimize the chances of this happening to you. There | | | | according to the playing surface and weather |
| are several injuries that are commonplace in soccer | | | | conditions. Some pitches will require the use of soccer |
| and most involve the legs. In particular, the upper and | | | | boots with studs fitted while others will need moulded |
| lower legs, ankles and feet are areas of the body that | | | | rubber blades. |
| are most likely to be at risk. | | | | The shins are an area of the leg that tends to come in |
| One of the biggest causes of soccer injuries is failing | | | | for a tough time during soccer matches. The front of |
| to warm up properly before training or playing. If you | | | | the lower leg is most vulnerable during tackles. |
| have ever attended a professional soccer match, you | | | | Protecting the shins by wearing shin pads virtually |
| will have noticed the amount of time players spend | | | | eliminates most minor injuries such as gashes caused |
| warming up before the game. This usually lasts for | | | | by football boot studs or even small hairline fractures. |
| around 30 to 45 minutes in most cases. This ensures | | | | The diet is an often overlooked way to prevent |
| all the muscles in the body are loose and ready to | | | | soccer injuries. The foods you eat can strengthen your |
| meet the demands of competitive soccer. Research | | | | bones, tendons and ligaments. Eating foods or taking |
| has shown that cold muscles are prone to injury. If you | | | | vitamin supplements containing Calcium and Vitamin C |
| do not warm up before exercise, you are increasing | | | | will make your body stronger. It will be to your |
| your chances of picking up an injury. | | | | advantage if your bones are strong and means that |
| Stretching is another activity that can help to prevent | | | | any kind of fracture is highly unlikely. |
| soccer related injury. This reduces both muscular | | | | |