As the AFL season gets underway, with teams vying for victory, players and fans prepare for a year of intense competition and thrilling matches. However, in a physically demanding sport like the Australian Football League (AFL), players risk getting injured and missing out on the action.
Footy players put their bodies on the line, so Sports Physiotherapy is crucial for getting them back out in the park when injuries inevitably occur.
Physio works closely with athletes to create customized rehabilitation programs, provide hands-on treatment for injuries, and offer advice on injury prevention techniques such as manual therapy and exercise therapy to help athletes recover from injuries faster and improve their overall physical fitness and performance on the field.
That’s why having a dedicated sports physiotherapy team becomes crucial to ensure the well-being and success of these elite athletes. Australian Sports Physiotherapy is an experienced and supportive team that helps athletes achieve their best performance while avoiding injuries.
In this article, we’ll explore the world of AFL injuries and the crucial role that sports physiotherapists play in keeping players fit and healthy on the field.
Common AFL Injuries And Causes
1. Hamstring Injuries
Hamstring injuries are one of the most common injuries that the football clubs in Australia report. They happen due to overstriding when they are nearing the maximum speed or trying to keep up with the speed.
Leaning forward to go faster, bending down to grab the ball while running, or trying to break free from a tackle are common ways people injure their hamstring muscles in AFL.
Because it’s slippery, hamstring injuries happen more often when there’s not enough grip on the surface.
2. Dislocation Or Sprains In The Shoulder
Shoulder injuries happen when the human tissue that supports and stabilizes the shoulder (ligaments) gets excessively stretched. This can make the bone on the upper arm pop out of its socket in the shoulder blade.
Due to the shoulder’s superior mobility, it’s especially easy for it to get dislocated.
Shoulder injuries usually happen when you get hit hard or bumped on the shoulder, like in a tough collision or falling down. Also, twisting your shoulder too much, like when you’re tackling someone, can also hurt it.
3. Knee Injuries
Knee injuries can happen more often when the ground is hard or when there’s a lot of grip, like with longer cleats that have more contact with the ground.
Athletes who undergo ACL (Anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction are more likely to get injured again after coming back from the surgery. They’re about 10 times more vulnerable to receiving injury in their knees again within a single month and four times more likely to have knee injuries throughout their sports career compared to players who haven’t had this surgery. Having a history or tendency of the prior ACL reconstruction invites major risks for the future ACL injuries.
Ruckmen, especially when they’re contesting for the ball at center bounces, are at high risk of PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) injuries because they jump and land frequently.
4. Groin Strains
While strains in the hamstrings are the most frequent injuries in AFL, strains in the groin areas are not far behind. This is because of the intense pressure on the pelvic area during actions like running and sprinting and sudden changes in direction. Additionally, landing on stiff surfaces can also lead to groin strains.
Preventing AFL Injuries
By conducting thorough screenings and identifying warning signs, the risk of sports injuries can be significantly reduced. Factors such as previous injuries, hip joint alignment, age, and improper landing or jumping techniques can increase the chances of an accident during sports activities.
With these factors, which are now widely recognized in sports medicine, athletes are better protected than ever against serious injuries while competing at their highest level.
At Australian Sports Physiotherapy, our dedicated professionals are dedicated to minimizing the risk of sports injuries through detailed assessments, tailored training programs, and conditioning regimens. We strive to help patients recover quickly from any injury they may encounter.
The Role Of Sports Physiotherapy In AFL Injury Management
The evolution of sports physiotherapy is no less than a boon for athletes engaged in hard sports like the Australian Football League. Gone are the days when the career of an individual was cut short by injuries. However, thanks to sports management, the players are winning these injuries and returning back to the mainstream of sporting culture.
Physiotherapy, in general, is a technique to help restore movement, reduce pain, and improve the function of the body. This can include exercises, massage, stretches, and a group of other manual therapies.
Sports physiotherapy is deemed to work with the athletes to create individualized rehabilitation plans. They are tailored to the specific goals and needs of individuals. The most crucial aspect of physiotherapy is using therapies such as mobilizations, massage, etc.
It helps bring in improvement in a range of motions. By utilizing a combination of exercise, education, and manual therapies, the individual is healed. Combining all profits increases flexibility, which is essential for a complete recovery.
The Main Goals Of The Sports Physiotherapy Professionals
In this section, we discuss the specific roles of sports physiotherapy professionals.
The professionals are good at planning exercise regimes that help return the athletes to a pre-injury state. Personalized exercises and prescriptions are used to improve the restrictions on mobility.
Professionals use some of the most effective preventive injury methods and diagnose them for athletes through screening and exercise. They are good communicators, and they oversee every minute of development related to the injury of an individual. This monitoring helps in achieving speedy recovery.
Final Thoughts On Common AFL Injuries And Sports Physiotherapy
After closely studying injuries in AFL for ten years, we now understand the most common and costly ones: hamstring strains, ACL ruptures, and Glenohumeral dislocations.
The fast-paced, intense nature of AFL, with its focus on ball contests, tackling, and high-speed running, unfortunately, leads to a higher injury rate.
But here’s the good news: With the right help from sports physiotherapists, athletes can bounce back quicker and even prevent future injuries.
So, don’t let the injuries keep you out of the game – get the support you need and get back in action.
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