If you happened to flip the newspaper for the past few days, you will see articles where former-Man Utd’s star, Owen Hargreaves, touching sourly on his possibly misdiagnosed treatment given by the Man Utd medical team. Since moving to Man CIty for this new season, Owen Hargreaves couldn’t ask for a greater start by netting his first goal for the club on his debut.
Hargreaves, from Calgary, claims his treatment at Old Trafford failed to bring about the promised recovery and therefore proved to be a major factor in his lengthy spell on the sidelines. Hargreaves received injections, but his tendon was never the same as before. And in fact after his injections, he tried to get back on his feet and the (Man Utd) medical team said his tendon was good but Hargreaves felt like he was made out of glass and he didn’t make the recovery, and that started his three-year fitness nightmare at Old Trafford.
Hargreaves said, “After a seven-week course of rehabilitation and ‘movement re-education’ with McKechnie, fitness consultant for L.A. Lakers basketball team, I returned to the first team training in the summer of 2010 at United. Which after just five minutes into my comeback game at home to Wolves last November, I limped off with a torn hamstring. I started the game with two muscle injuries and had to walked away from the game with 70,000 people watching.”
I could totally feel for Hargreaves.
I have had many injuries from futbol all these years. Knee, ankles, toes, back, and I even received injections to my injuries too. However one of the most unforgettable injuries has to be the one in year 1999, I injured my ankle even before a training session actually started. All I could remember was I was attempting a few passes with my team mates as warm-up and the next moment, I felt the sharp pain on my right ankle. I couldn’t walk but did enough to limp over to our team’s physio for treatment. And guess what? He made a joke out of it by shouting across the stadium to the head coach, “your player injured himself even before the training started sia! Hahaha…!!” Well, to a young player attempting to be a professional futbol player back then, it hurt a lot to hear such comment. I was thinking how long I am going to be out with this injury. I was thinking will my contract be terminated because of such a stupid injury!
Definitely my personal experience here was not as rich as Hargreaves’, the agony of not knowing how long you will be away from the game which you love is identical in this aspect. So probably what could be the best advice, is to prevent sports injury. Participation in any sport or physical activity carries the potential for injury, let alone futbol. Sports injury can’t be avoided but we can try our best to prevent it.
Warming-up prior to a game will increase the flow of blood and oxygen to your muscles, which heats the muscle tissue. Warm muscles are less prone to become strained and irritated. Once you have completed your warm-up, it’s critical that you stretch all of the muscles that you will be using. Stretching actually lengthens your muscles, making them less prone to injury too.
After your game, you should stretch the muscles that you just worked. Muscles have a tendency to tighten during aerobic exercise, so stretching after you have exercised will leave your muscles more flexible and limber (and less prone to injury). Do not forget, listen to your body. When you feel pain, stop. When you’re gasping for breath, stop.
Sometimes crazy futbol fantatic like me don’t just listen to my body. I would tend to push myself to the limit during a game. As time goes by, I admit I am losing out to the age factor and as much as I wanted to enjoy the game, warming-up and stretching prior to a game will never be compromised. Ever thought of playing the game which you love playing at the age of 50? That will never be possible if your limps are not at their best! Dear futbol players, remember, play it safe for your family, friends and the game that you love!
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