Injury prevention and rehabilitation

De Ste Croix, M; Ayala, F; Julian, R; Sargent, D; Hughes, J.

Abstract

Injury risk screening and management in women’s football must be based around incidence data and understanding match demands. Current screening and prevention programmes are based on relatively limited data in women’s football compared to data on men. However, despite this limitation, appropriate and effective screening and risk management programmes have been proposed for women footballers. Movement screening is an effective way to help players understand how they move and how they can move more effectively. Significant reductions in injury incidence rates and likely reduced injury burden have been demonstrated in injury prevention programmes. Injury risk management programmes are, however, only effective if they are adopted, implemented and maintained by clubs, coaches and players. Implementing programmes at an early stage in a player’s training journey ensures that preventive measures seamlessly integrate into their weekly training routine. Appropriate rehabilitation strategies need to consider the high re-injury rates in women and that resources are required to make sure players are fit to return to sport. Other issues specific to women around perceptions of social support also need consideration.