Body Conditioning for Soccer
Soccer is known as “football” in South America, is a sport that is played around the world and is one of the most popular sports out there. Playing soccer requires a wide range of fitness skills using various parts of the body, not just your feet. The focus of soccer coaches is mainly geared towards skill development and endurance training. Both are important for athletes to practice but their are other factors to take into consideration for soccer players.
Strength is often viewed of little importance in soccer, unlike in football. Soccer players need to be fast runners. Running often will definitely improve player’s endurance but strength forms the basis of both power and speed.
Park Physical Therapy offers a comprehensive rehabilitation program in a state-of-the-art facility. Their therapists have doctorate degrees as well as advanced certifications in various specialties. Therapist focus on strength training that are specifically geared towards athletes of all sports like soccer and parts of the body that need improvement.
Strength training can be helpful with metabolism, injury resistance, improved balance, improved stability, agility, and faster recovery. All of which will improve any soccer player’s athletic abilities. Building strength and power will also decrease the risk of injuries such as ACL injuries that can be common in soccer players. Physical therapists are able to easily target weak areas of the body and then provide ways to improve strength which lowers risk of injury.
Flexibility is an important aspect of fitness in soccer. Having a healthy range of motion can be helpful during soccer games. Flexibility also decreases the risk of injury. Knowing what stretches to do, how to do them properly, when and for how long are extremely important. A physical therapist at Park Physical Therapy can teach their patients the proper stretches that they should practice. Some stretches patients are able to practice at home, Park Physical Therapy therapists will teach you all you need to know to keep up with it in between sessions at PT and between games.
In order to play soccer to the best of your ability, body conditioning is both important and at times necessary. Improving strength, flexibility and resistance will players the advantage to perform as close to peak level as possible.
