James Rice T J Salih graduated from the University of East London in 1994 with an Honours Degree in Physiotherapy. After working in the public sector for 3 years, TJ worked for Tottenham Hotspur Football Club for 2 seasons, before moving into the private sector. He is co-founder of back2normal. His interests include sports injuries, intramuscular stimulation, … Read more
Increasing emphasis is being placed on the physical performance and preparation of Premiership players, wsith most clubs utilising the expertise of physiologists and sport scientists in order to gain a winning edge. This has led to an increase in published physiological research on association football. The methods used to monitor player performance include hand notation, … Read more
In 2002, France and Arsenal star Robert Pires damaged the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee. Pires and the French national team coach Roger Lemerre have both blamed fatigue as a contributory factor in the injury. Lemerre has been deprived of the services of one of the world’s top midfield players for the … Read more
Hawkins et al., (2001) suggested that muscular strains are the single most commonly reported injuries in English professional soccer. This data is consistent with previous research, which reported similar findings (Hawkins and Fuller, 1999; Lewin, 1989; Ekstrand and Gillquist, 1983a, 1983b). This epidemiological research (studies of the incidence of injury) sought to identify the causes … Read more
Eccentric Strengthening An eccentric contraction is defined as a contraction where the muscle is lengthening, as opposed to a concentric contraction where the muscle is shortening, or an isometric contraction where there is no change in the muscle length. There is nothing magical about eccentric muscle strengthening in the role of alleviating tendon problems. The … Read more
The Injury The Humerus is the upper arm bone between the shoulder and the elbow. The part of the Humerus closest to the shoulder is known as the ‘Proximal Humerus’. The Proximal Humerus or upper arm is a common site for a fracture (accounting for around 5% of all fractures). Fractures to the Proximal Humerus … Read more
What is a High Ankle Sprain? A sprained ankle is one of the most common injuries caused by participation in sports. It refers to soft tissue damage (mainly ligaments ) around the ankle joint. A high ankle sprain refers to ligament damage at the joint between the shin bone (tibia) and splint bone (fibula). This … Read more
Achilles Tendinopathy Achilles tendinopathy is the term used to describe all of the possible issues with an Achilles tendon including inflammation (tendinitis) or degeneration (tendinopathy). It is now believed that the Achilles tendon is not simply inflamed; instead, the tendon has become thickened and stiffens up. Although this might sound alarming, degeneration (wear and tear) … Read more
Tendonopathy Kader et al reviewed almost 350 articles to provide an interesting review of the anatomy, pathology and management of Achilles tendon problems in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The article is comprehensive and provides essential reading for all clinicians who specialise in Sports Medicine. It also provides interesting information for those people, sporting … Read more
Despite numerous positive tests for performance enhancing drugs in Italy and Spain, there has not yet been a positive test in the English Premier League. Although performance enhancing drugs have never been part of the culture of English football, some notable figures have their suspicions. FIFA Medical Committee chairman, Michel D’Hooghe, commented “EPO is now … Read more