Footy finals are approaching. Whether you’re lacing up your boots for AFL, NRL, rugby, netball, or soccer, or you’re a weekend warrior dusting off the shin guards after nine months off, winter sport season is a time when musculoskeletal injuries become more common.
Contact Sport: The Tackle Zone
AFL and NRL are collision sports. The most common injuries in these codes include neck and cervical spine sprains from tackle impacts, shoulder joint injuries, and lumbar spine loading from repeated physical contact. The Australian Chiropractors Association recognises chiropractic as addressing the diagnosis, treatment, and management of neuromusculoskeletal conditions, meaning many players choose to include chiropractic care as part of their overall healthcare and recovery.
Netball and Soccer: Different Risks, Same Importance
Netball carries a high rate of lower limb injury. A systematic review of 46 netball injury studies found that most injuries in adults occur in the lower limb, particularly the ankle and knee, with ankle sprains the most frequent. Landing and direction changes are the most common injury mechanisms, meaning a biomechanical assessment may identify movement patterns that could be associated with an increased risk of injury. Soccer adds lower back and hip flexor loading from repetitive kicking, plus head and neck risk from aerial contests.
The Weekend Warrior Problem
Perhaps the higher-risk group of all is the recreational player who is largely sedentary during the week but plays at full intensity on weekends. The combination of general deconditioning and sudden increases in activity may increase the likelihood of musculoskeletal injury. Key prevention strategies: maintain some base fitness year-round, complete a thorough dynamic warm-up before every game (at least 10-15 minutes), and don’t ignore persistent pain after matches.
Sports Chiropractic: More Than Just Injury Treatment
Sports chiropractic isn’t only about helping manage musculoskeletal injuries after they occur — it may also assist in assessing movement and biomechanical function as part of an individual’s overall approach to physical activity. The ACA emphasises that chiropractors focus on the relationship between the spine, nervous system and musculoskeletal system — which is very relevant for people participating in sport.
If you’re playing winter sport this season, a mid-season sports chiropractic check may be worth considering.