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Ninety minutes of non-stop action is a football fan’s dream, but it does take a toll on a soccer player’s body.
Soccer, one of South Africa’s favourite pastimes, is also one of the most physically demanding sports out there for athletes. No match ever ends without at least one player, if not two, getting injured, a reality most players and coaches have to deal with.
Common injuries on the soccer field
According to Marshall Muller, an Event Coordinator at ER24, the most common injuries that paramedics see during soccer matches are:
- Ankle sprains occur frequently due to sudden changes in direction, falls, or improper landing, often affecting the lateral ligaments.
- Muscle strains and tears: Commonly seen in the hamstrings, quadriceps, and calves due to sprinting, overstretching, or fatigue.
- Knee injuries (Ligament/Meniscus): ACL tears are common and, along with medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprains and meniscus tears, are usually caused by twisting while the foot is planted.
- Contusions: Resulting from direct collisions with other players or the ball.
- Concussions: While less common than lower limb injuries, head trauma is treated seriously and occurs from collisions or heading the ball.
What are the most serious injuries on the soccer field?
Concussions being some of the most serious injuries that any athlete can experience, ER24 paramedics perform a particularly extensive analysis using a multi-faceted approach focused on recognising immediate ‘red flags’ by assessing mental status and observing for physical signs of impairment. If a paramedic has any concerns, the player is removed from the game immediately, prioritising the athlete’s long-term health over short-term performance.
“If the player is conscious, medics use the Maddocks questions to check for orientation and memory. If the player cannot answer these correctly, they are removed from play,” Marshall explains.
These are some of the questions medics ask to assess whether a soccer player has a concussion or not:
- What venue are we at today?
- Which half is it now?
- Who scored last in this match?
- Did we win last week?
- Which team did we play last week?
Soccer may be the nation’s favourite game, but no match is more important than a player’s health. That’s why ER24 is there on match day, putting player safety first, always.