This past weekend we had the honor of sponsoring the South Bronx United Soccer Club's College Showcase. Teams from around the tri-state area played in front of a host of local college coaches. The tournament is a perfect opportunity for coaches to search out diamonds in the rough and for players to stake their claim for the next level.
WSPT was present in full force, providing first aid services, a massage therapist and a physical therapist. We all had our hands full throughout the day. As can be expected in a day filled with soccer matches, injuries included a cut forehead requiring stitches, multiple muscle strains, and most-prevalent, sprained ankles.
At first I was amazed every time a kid would come to our table with a sprained ankle, but eventually, I just expected it. Some possible reasons for the abundance of ATFI injuries:
- It just happens in soccer
- The artificial turf combined with the high cleats
- Soccer shoes don't support the ankle as well as they should
- Poor training, particularly proprioceptive
Regardless of the cause, most injuries were minor and responded well to Kinesio Taping to minimize inflammation and to provide the necessary proprioception for the players to safely get back on the field.
What are you doing to prevent sprains on artificial turf fields? What kinds of shoes do you wear or recommend? Do you have your soccer players do specific proprio or ankle strengthening exercises? Please comment below.
To prevent your next athletic injury
or
for speedy recovery from a current injury
