A physically brutal sport with high-impact collisions in almost every play, football produces its share of injuries with concussions, broken bones and torn knee ligaments as common occurrences. However, football's physical demands may even lead to overuse injuries, which occur when the body is taxed beyond its ability to recover from repetitive stress. Football overuse injuries may vary depending on the player's position.
Causes
Football players suffer overuse injuries for a variety of reasons. Using improper technique while throwing, running, blocking or tackling can eventually wear down muscles, leading to strains and pulls. Simply standing with poor posture over a long period may cause fatigued back muscles. Failing to warm up before practice and games or training too hard too quickly may also increase the risk of an overuse injury, since the affected muscles won't be prepared to handle the continuous workload.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of an overuse injury include sore muscles that may swell or feel unusually stiff. The pain typically increases with movement. Joints may also become achy and stiff, losing their full range of motion. Quarterbacks may develop overuse injuries in their throwing shoulder or elbow. Running backs, wide receivers and defensive backs may be prone to overuse injuries to their thighs, hamstrings, calves and knees because of the necessary running involved in their positions. Linemen and linebackers, who spend much of their time in crouched stances, may experience injuries to their backs and lower body. Kickers may be prone to pain in their hips, groins and legs.
Treatment
Rest plays a key role in treating overuse injuries. Football players will typically reduce workload on the injured muscles, sitting out practice snaps and receiving treatment from team physicians. Trainers will ice the injury to reduce swelling, with fresh ice bags applied every four hours during the first day. Treatment routines also feature stretching and massage to loosen the muscles before beginning a light exercise program to rebuild strength. Players should not return to action until the injury has had sufficient time to heal; otherwise, they risk re-injury.
Prevention
Football players who suffer overuse injuries should examine their technique, evaluating their on-field performance for any technical flaws that could be overloading the muscles or joints. Performing a proper stretching routine prior to exercise can help carry blood and oxygen to the muscles and joints, reducing the risk of strains. Wearing proper footwear can improve posture, body support and shock absorption, lessening stress on the legs and lower back. Players should listen to their bodies and use common sense, immediately halting physical movement that causes pain.
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