| Reduce Injuries with a Warm-up |
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Cold muscles are more injury prone and athletes with poor muscle flexibility experience more soreness, tenderness and pain after exercise.
Unlike sports like gymnastics or swimming, soccer does not develop natural flexibility. As a result, stretching, particularly of the groin, hip, hamstrings, Achilles tendon, and quadriceps, during warm-ups before practices and games and during the cool-down after playing, is particularly vital in reducing the risk of strains and sprains. Stretching is particularly critical for soccer players between the ages of 10 and 13 who have less natural flexibility because their bones are growing faster than their muscles. It is also critically important for girls, who need to strengthen and stretch leg muscles to reduce the risk of ACL injuries. |
Comments
For optimal results try to stretch every day or at least 3-4 times a week
Makes sure your body in completely warm before you start. Either do 5-10mins of light aerobic exercise or do your stretches at the end of a training session.
Hold each stretch for 20-30 seconds. "Shake out" the limb and joint and repeat for a total of 2 to 3 sets.
Don't expect results overnight. It can take up to 6 weeks to see measurable improvements. Be persistent - they will come.
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