Preventing Knee injuries in football – Part 1

Knee injuries in football are one of the most common injuries players experience. According to USSoccer.com, knee injuries are often found in young players. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a tendon that is often affected by a knee injury. Injuring the tendon can cause long layoffs, and even cause players to hang up their boots.

Knee injuries in football

According to studies released by Men’s Fitness magazine, football players are three to seven-times more likely to suffer some type of knee injury than other athletes. Of course, that is in regards to elite-level athletes. Non-elite-level athletes are likely to suffer injury to the knee too. Young players who are still growing can be greatly affected by these types of injuries.

The good news

The good news for players that suffer a knee injury is modern medicine. At one time, a knee injury meant the end of a player’s career. Today, it means a player can return in six to 12 months with the right rehabilitation. USSoccer.com states most injuries to the knee occur in players once they turn 14 and rise into their late teens. It is unlikely a football player under 14 will suffer any type of catastrophic knee injury.

How do injuries occur?

Most knee injuries are the result of non-contact or indirect contact in football. For example, a player could injury their knee when they plant their foot, turn quickly or make a sudden movement to get away from their defender. If a football player does injure his or her ACL, they will know it immediately due to the intense pain.

Knee exercises

There are exercises that players can do to strengthen their knees. These drills can be done to prevent future knee injuries in the future.

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