Football is among the most aggressive and physical sports in the world. NFL players have encountered many injuries, some life-threatening. These injuries to players, especially stars, can influence NFL picks this week.
While the NFL mandates teams to declare their injured players, groups don’t always disclose the level of damage. The disclosure varies from team to team.
Read on to learn more about NFL injuries and how to avoid them.
Pulled Hamstring
A pulled hamstring occurs when you strain or remove one of your hamstring muscles. Hamstring muscles are a group of three that run along the back of your thigh.
You can avoid a pulled hamstring by strengthening your legs, stretching, and not overdoing your exercise.
Turf Toe
Turf toe refers to an injury that affects the big toe joint. It occurs when the big toe bends too far or too forcefully. In the process, the ligaments and small tissues tear and sprain.
Turf toe will often improve with rest, ice therapy, and pain relief like ibuprofen. The injuries that linger past these treatments may need surgery.
You can avoid turf toe using lightweight shoes with less flex in the forefoot.
Knee Ligament Tears
Knee ligaments are fibrous tissues connecting the leg’s bones to the knee joint. They allow for smooth movement and provide stability.
A knee ligament tear can cause serious pain to a player. Depending on the level of damage, knee ligament injuries may need surgery to repair. However, the body can sometimes heal the ligament on its own.
Add plyometric jumps and low box squats to your workout. These workout routines will increase the stability of the muscles around your knee.
Achilles Rupture
The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. It is the strongest and thickest tendon in the human body. A damaged Achilles tendon is a very painful condition that often requires surgery.
The Achilles tendon needs to be supple enough to absorb hard landings. To avoid injury, dynamic stretching during warm-ups is essential. During any introduction, include calf raises, a set of walking lunges, and a set of squats with body weight only.
High Ankle Sprain
A high ankle sprain occurs when your shin bones (the tibia and fibula) suffer damage. It differs from normal ankle sprains, which occur when you roll your foot in one direction. In contrast, a high ankle sprain happens when the foot is pointed and rotated badly.
The most efficient way to avoid this injury is to strengthen the muscles around your ankles. Also, ensure you properly warm up and stretch before any physical activity.
Core Muscle Injury
Core muscle injuries are commonly mistaken for sports hernias, but they aren’t, as hernias entail abdominal damage. A core muscle injury refers to tears and sprains on the core muscles. The injury can result from a sudden twist or change in direction.
Exercises like front planking, side planking, and woodchopping strengthen your core.
Tricep and Pectoral Tears
The triceps and pectoral muscles can tear, pull, and strain like other muscles. Overstretching musclescan lead to a serious injury that may even require surgery.
During exercise, instead of moving up the weights, focus on properly bringing down the consequences. Utilize a spotter to make this process safer.
Plantar Fasciitis and Midfoot Sprain
Plantar fasciitis results from repeated strain on the plantar fascia (a group of tissues forming your foot’s arch). Left unattended, plantar fasciitis can lead to further tears in the fascia.
To prevent plantar fasciitis, wear cushioned fitted socks with non-slip soles. You must also maintain a healthy weight, stretch your feet, and avoid running on uneven and hard surfaces.
When it comes to sports injuries, prevention is always better. Treatment is expensive and time-consuming and can drastically reduce an athlete’s performance. If you play football or any strenuous sport, follow these tips to avoid these injuries!
