Article
Injuries and muscle tightness in soccer
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Authors
Published: | June 13, 2005 |
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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.