It’s time for fall sports! Many students, amateur athletes, and weekend warriors of all ages are diving into football, soccer, and other fall favorites, eager to savor the excitement of team play. Unfortunately, many sports lovers will be sidelined too soon by common injuries, including hamstring strains, ankle sprains, and ACL tears.
Smart athletes train not just to perform, but to prevent injuries. Physical therapy (PT) can help you get in top shape and stay strong throughout the season. Here are three injuries athletes can ward off through PT.
ANKLE SPRAINS
Young athletes often dismiss ankle rolls as harmless tweaks, but many victims later develop chronic ankle instability and related knee and hip injuries. Surprisingly, balance training and better posture control can help prevent ankle problems. Your PT can help you strengthen core and leg muscles and practice posture control on flexible balance boards. Manual therapy can also help improve ankle range of motion.
ACL TEARS
ACL injuries among teenage athletes are soaring, and many of these players aren’t able to return to play. Strengthening and learning to control your core muscles can help you avoid becoming one of those statistics. A skilled PT will also strengthen your hamstrings, glutes, and quads. A PT can help you practice single-leg sit-to-stand exercises and single-leg squats to firm up those supportive muscles.
HAMSTRING STRAINS
Strains and tears in the hamstring muscles are the most common injuries in team sports. Preventive physical therapy reduces the risk of injury by 59%. A skilled PT can help you increase your hamstring flexibility and strength in relation to your quads. Exercises such as the Nordic curl and other
hamstring-specific workouts can help you get through the season injury-free.
You May Also Like:
If you would like coaching on preventive exercises to ensure a safe, injury-free season for yourself or your family member, don’t hesitate to call us for a consultation! We will gladly help you get into top shape for the season!
