Soccer enthusiasm and participation have never been higher in the U.S., with the world’s soccer championship about to begin, featuring games right here in Kansas City. From complete beginners to seasoned players, soccer has something special to offer just about everyone, including tremendous health benefits.
Health Benefits of Soccer
For example, have you ever noticed how soccer players can run for 90 minutes and still have energy left? By constantly running, changing directions, and dodging other players, soccer players are building up their body’s endurance. In fact, soccer is absolutely fantastic for heart health. It’s a high-intensity game that helps strengthen the heart, reduces blood pressure, and lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Soccer also requires a vast range of motions that most of us would never use in day-to-day life. Kicking, twisting, turning, and sometimes even tumbling lead to improved mobility and flexibility. Importantly, players also learn to interact and communicate with others and how to work together as a team.
Injuries in Soccer
But no matter how many benefits come with playing such an active sport, it’s also important to note that — all too often — injuries are also part of the game. As a primarily lower body sport, soccer has a large number of lower extremity injuries, according to Andrew Johnson, MD, Family Medicine, AdventHealth South Overland Park.
Common soccer injuries mostly affect the lower extremities due to the sport’s high-intensity running, cutting, and contact. Key injuries include ankle sprains, hamstring and groin strains, shin splints, and ACL/meniscus tears in the knee. In addition to lower body injuries, there’s more emphasis than ever on soccer’s concussion rate, which is second only to football among high school sports.
Some potential warning signs of a concussion include symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and confusion. The U.S. Soccer Federation bans heading for children younger than 10 years of age and limits heading in practice for ages 11 to 13 years old to help reduce concussion rates.
Players who are hurt should stop playing immediately so their injury can be assessed. Minor injuries, such as sprains, may improve with rest, ice, compression, and elevation. However, players shouldn’t be afraid to see a health care provider even if they think it might be minor.
Original reporting: Johnson County Post (Overland Park) — read the source article.
