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54. Jahrestagung der Norddeutschen Orthopädenvereinigung e. V.

Norddeutsche Orthopädenvereinigung

16.06. bis 18.06.2005, Hamburg

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Injuries and muscle tightness in soccer

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  • corresponding author V. Kreckel - Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Cologne, Köln
  • P. Eysel - Köln
  • D.P. König - Köln

Norddeutsche Orthopädenvereinigung. 54. Jahrestagung der Norddeutschen Orthopädenvereinigung e.V.. Hamburg, 16.-18.06.2005. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2005. Doc05novEP109

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/nov2005/05nov176.shtml

Published: June 13, 2005

© 2005 Kreckel et al.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/deed.en). You are free: to Share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work, provided the original author and source are credited.

Outline

Text

Introduction

Soccer is one of the most popular sports worldwide. Due to its characteristic many injuries are

expected. Muscular tightness is postulated as an intrinsic risk factor for the developement of a muscle

injury. Muscle flexibility testing can identify soccer players at risk of musculoskeletal lesions.

Method

One-hundred-and-seventeen male amateur soccer players aged 4 to 29 were examined for former

injuries and muscular flexibility by using Janda´s functional muscular diagnostic.

Results

Muscle injuries and ankle lesions predominated among the injuries in the lower extremities. M. rectus

femoris and M. tensor fasciae latae were the most common shortening muscles. Ninety-six soccer

players (82%) showed „general muscular tightness" which is more often found with increasing age

(p=0,007).

Discussion

The functional muscular diagnostic is suitable for screening muscular flexibility in soccer players. We

found comprehensive muscular tightness among the soccer players. Possible correlations between

muscular tightness and muscle injuries are discussed. The value of stretching for preventing exercise-related muscle injury is still unclear.