Soccer Coaching: Lateral Ankle Sprains
Go to: Previous Article Next Article
Nearly every athlete, regardless of sport, has experienced a sprained ankle at some time during play or practice. In soccer, an ankle injury is the number one injury suffered by players. This is a major concern for coaches and trainers alike and a sports motion analysis camera can lessen this burden.?
A lateral ankle sprain can begin a cycle of chronic ankle problems which includes:
. Loss of posture control, decreased muscle and ligament function
. Decreased joint awareness
. Increased joint instability
These conditions lead to lessened athlete productivity and potentially severe measures of medical correction, such as surgery. These facts make it clear that the right treatment approach needs to be developed rapidly for the injured player.
The foot and ankle is a combination of 31 muscles, 28 bones, and 25 joints. Soft tissue that is injured in this area becomes stretched out of proportion and looses the ability to control the joints which results in re-injury to the ankle.
A sports motion analysis camera shows lateral ankle sprains are caused by a movement which forces the sole of the foot inward, towards the body while the toes are flexed outward. This action happens most often during play when making a sudden direction change, or an individual steps on another player's foot.
This movement involves a number of bones including:
. Tibia
. Fibula
. Talus, the bone which sets on top of the heel
. Calcaneus, or heel bone
A few very important ligaments:
. Anterior talofibular ligament, or ATF, and most common ligament to suffer injury
. Calcaneofibular ligament, or CF, second most common?
. Posterior talofibular ligament, or PTF
And muscles known as peroneals:
. Fibularis longus
. Fibularis brevis
These combined structures provide stability, mobility, and function to the foot and ankle. Following an injury the tissues must be retrained, strengthened, and conditioned to function optimally under the stress of a game or practice. Too often a player rushes back into play as soon as the swelling and pain dissipates, providing the greatest possibility of reoccurring injuries to the site.
Human motion analysis equipment can be used as an excellent diagnostic tool to assess the stability of the ankle prior to returning to play following rehabilitation of the player. These instruments can also be used as a preventative technique to observe players and determine if there is any postural problems or stability issues that can be addressed prior to an injury occurring.
The required down time for a lateral ankle sprain can take its toll on both the team and player injured. It is made worse when this form of injury becomes a chronic problem.?
A sports motion analysis camera enables the coach and trainers to view body motion that would otherwise go unnoticed. This provides the perfect opportunity to create a comprehensive training program for the benefit of the athlete as well as the team. Based on the results of the human motion analysis equipment many potentially limiting injuries can be avoided by creating the right physical program around the needs of the team members. This approach creates a stronger team capability.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
- Credit Cards A big selection of Cards in all flavors: Bad Credit Cards, Secured Cards, Prepaid Cards, Credit Cards for Canada, Low Interest Cards, etc -
Word Count: 538
Reduce Your Debts Without Bankruptcy. See How Much You Can Save. Free Debt Analysis
