Preventing Football Injuries
Fall is here and another prep football season
has begun. Football is the most glamorous and popular high school sport, and
the conditioning these young athletes endure puts them in peak physical shape.
It also is the sport most prone to injuries.
The line of scrimmage is a battlefield on
every down. Because it requires applied force to stop an opponent, football
players are susceptible to injury anywhere on their bodies, despite protective
gear. The physical act of tackling a 200-plus-pound moving opponent makes the
tackler vulnerable to many types of injuries, and the player carrying the ball
can be equally vulnerable if he falls the wrong way or takes a vicious hit.
Injuries in football are inevitable byproducts
of the game. Additional hazards can include heat exhaustion and misuse of nutritional
supplements. While all of these possible mishaps can't be totally prevented,
there are steps that can be taken to minimize the risks, starting with greater
awareness on the part of parents and the coaches. Coaches shoulder primary responsibility
for preparing these young men for the rigors of the game. In most instances,
the coach is the "sideline doc." Unfortunately, not all are properly trained
in conditioning methods or have an understanding of basic first-aid techniques.
Dr. Matthew McQueen, a family practice/sports
medicine specialist with Ochsner Clinic Foundation, stresses the importance
of weight training under proper supervision to enable players to better withstand
the physical punishment of football.
Ochsner physical therapist Danielle Porche
says all athletes should prepare for games and practice with an adequate warm-up
and stretching program. Because injuries can occur when muscles aren't properly
stretched then are taken past their limits, these injuries can lead to chronic
problems.
To avoid dehydration, McQueen recommends that
players slowly acclimate themselves to the heat. He advises coaches to stay
alert to the hydration levels of their players and keep them supplied with water
or other replacement fluids every 15-20 minutes. He also recommends that players
be weighed before and after every practice. Players can be expected to lose
a few pounds through excessive perspiration. However, if the weight loss at
the end of the workout is more than 3 percent of the player's starting weight,
he should not be allowed back on the field until he has re-established his previous
weight.
Finally, it is important to promote a cool-down
process after practice and games to avoid muscle spasms.
Football injuries range from minor contusions
to limb fractures and concussions. All should be taken seriously by the coaches,
the players and their parents. Playing injured invites the risk of greater injury.
Learning how to tackle an opponent in a way that is least injurious to both
players is one of the main keys to safety. There are videotapes available that
demonstrate the proper tackling techniques, and they should be required viewing
by both coaches and players.
Parents play a key role in the safety and
well being of their youngsters. They should not push them beyond their physical
limits or encourage them to play hurt. McQueen also recommends that parents
monitor which supplements their kids are taking, and consult with a sports nutritionist
or sports medical specialist if they have concerns.
My personal advice, after 25 years of performance
enhancement training at the pro, college and high school levels, is that you
may not get a second chance to prevent a season-ending injury or worse for your
child. Learn what it takes, both physically and mentally, to play the game and
prepare accordingly, starting with a comprehensive musculoskeletal evaluation.
