Australian rules football is a favourite sport amongst participants and those that follow the AFL in Australia. It’s a game that involves a large amount of physical contact, injuries are sustained due to players running, tackling, kicking, marking and handballing, players are constantly vying for the ball.
The Different Types of AFL Injuries
Players often sustain injuries that are the result of running into another player, tackling, being struck by the ball, or tumbling over.
Damage to the lower leg, knee, thigh, and ankle are the most frequent types of injuries that don’t require hospitalisation. More serious injuries requiring hospitalisation are sprains, strains, or fractures to the wrist, hands, shoulders, head, face, knee, and the lower leg.
Different Types of AFL Injuries
How to Avoid AFL Related Injuries
- Add exercises to your pre season fitness training program that include speed, endurance, resilience, and balance. Your body will then be ready to deal with the challenges of the game.
- Master and practice the techniques of the game with your team-mates.
Prior to competing, take part in a warm up routine that involves stretching your muscles, moderate jogging and running. - When training and during the game, make sure that you drink lots of water.
Wear the Correct AFL Footy Gear
- Don’t drink alcohol 48 hours prior to the game or directly after the game
- Maintain a balanced, healthy diet.
- Make an appointment to see your Physiotherapist, so that they can diagnose any musculo-skeletal issues that could potentially develop into a Football injury.
Wear the Correct AFL Footy Gear
- If you have suffered from head, ankle, or thigh injuries, protective headgear, ankle braces, and thigh protectors can be worn whilst playing the game.
- Use a mouthguard during play, a custom-fitted mouthguard is the most comfortable and effective.
- Choose boots that can be worn on all different types of surfaces.
- As AFL football is an outdoor sport, use sunscreen and re-apply it during breaks on sunny days.
If you or one of your teammates has suffered from a Football injury and would like to find out more about how our Physios can help you, you can contact your local Core Physio by pressing the button that’s below.
This blog was Nick Lagos from the City Physio practice.