Physiatrist advises on soccer safety as World Cup boosts popularity

Japan’s Ritsu Doan vies for the ball against Tunisia’s Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida in a Group F FIFA World Cup match on Saturday in Mexico. Photo: Reuters

By Ho Chia-yu and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writer

Warming-up, physical conditioning and post-exercise recovery are key to enjoying soccer safely, a Taipei-based physiatrist said, as World Cup fever fuels a surge in the sport’s popularity among Taiwanese.

Although good for strength and cardio conditioning, soccer has a high risk of physical injury, said Chen Chen-cheng （陳建成）, head of the physical medicine and rehabilitation department at the Cheng Hsin General Hospital.

The most common soccer injuries are tearing or damage to the thigh muscles, ankles and parts of the knee, including the menicus bone, meniscus cartilage, and anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, he said.

These types of injuries are linked to the constant sprinting, directional changes mid-stride and leaping during a match, which put strain on the skeletal-muscular structure, Chen said.

The patella, meniscus and meniscus cartilage — which doctors dub “the unhappy triad” — are structures that bear the brunt of impact from running, making them susceptible to damage and trauma, he said, adding that such injuries sometimes require surgery to repair.

In addition, amateurs could badly injure themselves by bungling maneuvers that they lack the skill for, he said.

A hard landing from a badly executed bicycle kick could cause damage to the tail vertebrae, while head-butts might result in concussion or other types of head injuries, Chen said.

After a game, players should hydrate, replenish electrolytes, soak in hot and cold water alternatively, and elevate their legs, which facilitates blood circulation and relaxes the muscles, he said.

Soreness can be treated by a hot compress, massages and stretches, while ice should be applied to injuries for 48 hours before switching to alternating between hot and cold compresses, he said.

There is no scientific basis for the health benefit of bloodletting following strenuous exercise, but some evidence seems to suggest that gua sha （刮痧） — repeatedly scraping lubricated skin with smooth-edged tools to produce light bruising — helps circulate subcutaneous fluids and lymphatic flow, Chen said.

Walking on tiptoes, hamstring stretches and clamshell exercises can train calf strength, flexibility and the hip and glute muscle groups, all of which help reduce injury risks to the lower body, he said.

People should have a check-up with a specialist if they suffer from lasting pain, swelling or reduced range of motion following strenuous exercise, Chen said.

新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES

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