As Seen on TV: Staying Injury-Free
A study shows that simple exercises could help young athletes avoid injuries.
Dec. 10, 2008— -- Researchers in Norway who looked at almost 2,000 female teenage soccer players say they have found that certain warm-up exercises can cut injuries by a third and reduce severe injuries by half. The exercises take 20 minutes and, in addition to slow and fast running, focus on balance, core stability, hip control and knee alignment.
The exercises are especially helpful for young women, who are five to eight times more likely than males to rupture their anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, while playing sports. Doctors don't know why women are at greater risk: It could be hormones, or that women's wider hips put more stress on the knee. But if it ruptures, an ACL tear can create complications that last a lifetime. Check out these exercises and the full study for more information.
"Anywhere from eight to 10 years after the actual injury, there are early signs of degenerative arthritis," said Holly Silvers, researcher. "So, obviously we want to prevent the injuries but our greater goal is to prevent early onset of arthritis."
Click here to watch the exercises -- but a word of warning: Since the sudy took place in Norway, the exercise clip is in Norwegian.
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