Fewer Injuries, Better Performance: The Power of a Targeted Warm-Up

Learn the specifics in a practical free workshop next Wednesday 25^th February, from 5.15pm at Neuro Physio Geelong.

You can click here to register.

Every coach and trainer wants to know the secret to keeping injury levels low throughout the season.  What is it, you ask?  How much does it cost?

10 minutes per session, that’s it.  Warm-up routines are standard practice, but are they always well planned?  Do they consider the movements and skills required in your sport, and the common injuries your athletes might face?  Do they adequately prepare your body for contact, agility and speed?  For years now, elite sports clubs have learned about the role of targeted, neuromuscular warm-ups and how they are slashing injury rates – both muscle and joint sprains and strains, and contact injuries like concussion.  Next week, we’re bringing this knowledge to grassroots level, and warmly invite any interested local trainers and coaches to attend.  These warm-ups can be applied to kids and adults, so everyone can benefit.

Workshop content will build on the strong foundations provided by the FIFA 11+ adults and kids programs and the Football Australia Perform+.   We’ll break into small groups (according to sport) to facilitate specific exercise selection that will form a suitable warm-up for various sports, not just soccer.

What does “neuromuscular” mean?

Neuromuscular refers to the coordination between the nervous system and the muscles they connect with.  Good neuromuscular function is necessary for strength, balance, stability and body awareness (proprioception).  Programs that build neuromuscular control strive to lower risk of collisions or falls, and biomechanical problems that can lead to injuries, including concussion.  Unfortunately, there is no single unicorn exercise that delivers the results of a comprehensive neuromuscular warm-up!  At next Wednesday’s workshop, we’ll simplify the exercise routine as much as possible so that you have suitable options depending on your training time and the level of your athlete cohort.

How effective are these warm-ups?

Very!  A systematic review, which groups the world’s best research on a chosen topic, was released last year and found that athletes completing the FIFA 11+ prevention program had a 40% reduction in head and neck injuries , including concussion, compared to those performing standard warm-ups.  Another study found that the FIFA 11+ prevention program resulted in significantly fewer injuries, with a much greater difference when comparing moderate and severe injuries, including contact injuries.

Concussion management at Neuro Physio Geelong

Based at our purpose-built rehab facility in South Geelong, we pride ourselves in our expert concussion assessment and rehabilitation.  Our highly skilled physiotherapists and exercise physiologists can manage concussion injuries from as early as day four, and we are well connected with other local health professionals (psychologists, sports physicians and GPs) to deliver multi-disciplinary care with the athlete at its heart.  We offer free baseline concussion screening assessments to athletes with a recent concussion history (past three years) to make sure they are functioning normally before the start of the season, and not putting themselves at a higher risk of future injury.  We have coordinated this free workshop to deliver on our values of collaboration and excellence; we know it is important to share our knowledge to help our local sporting community be more aware of concussion injuries and what can be done to prevent them.

For the Health Professionals in the audience, Rosie Marsiglio (Director – Neuro Physio Geelong) is presenting on the topic of Concussion as part of Project Echo – Emergencies in Primary Care Series on Tuesday 17^th March.  Register here!

We manage all kinds of concussion injuries, not just sport-related, and for all ages.  If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms following a concussion, call us 03 4207 0279 to book an appointment or check out our website to find out more.  Wondering what concussion rehab involves?  Check out our video blog post here.

I can’t get to the workshop, where can I find a copy of the published soccer programs?

Posters and manuals can be found on the Football Australia and FIFA websites for free download.

Workshop registration will close at 5pm Monday 23^rd February – register now!