That’s the message beaming out of the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA), warning a return to community sport could spell lengthy injury for players if proper preparation is not undertaken.
This winter, clubs across the Goulburn Valley were rife with outages as the COVID-19 lay-off took a heavy toll on players hitting the park following a season off it.
Now, APA’s cry is being issued to prevent the same happening over summer.
Though athletes have been walking, running and cycling to maintain their fitness, physiotherapists say this doesn’t necessarily give them the all clear to roll through a season untroubled on the injury front.
Darren Austin, APA Sports and Exercise group’s Victorian chair, advised incorporating a combination of targeted strength and balance exercises could assist in reducing the probability of hamstring, knee, ankle and hip or groin injuries occurring.
“Maintaining general fitness from running and walking is great while competitive sport hasn’t been possible, but we need to remind all teams and players that they need to return to sport gradually, as restrictions ease and competition begins again,” Austin said.
“Research shows young women are at three to five times greater risk of ACL injury than men although, as men tend to play sports with higher ACL injury risk, overall incidence of ACL injury is higher in men.”
The onus has not been placed on just players alone.
Austin urged clubs, as well as individuals, to consult their local physio to compile a return-to-sport training plan, or to work with coaches to implement adequate injury prevention training.
“We’ve been away from the sports field, court or pitch for a long time, and I’m sure everyone is itching to get back out there with their teammates — we need to be aware that we can’t just jump straight back into high speed running, agility and contact activities and expect we’ll be fine.
“A physio can tailor a program of warm-up exercises for your players, which are designed to reduce injury risk by progressively building training load.
“The program may include a combination of targeted strength and balance exercises, landing techniques, ankle sprain reduction exercises, quad, knee and calf strengthening exercises to support the safe return to these popular sports.
“With a gradual approach and proper training, we can avoid injuries that will wipe us out for the rest of the season and potentially into the new year.”
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