Football Fitness with Dr. Carter

The South’s favorite time of year is here – football season. From pee-wee to professional, football is a fall tradition that everyone seems to enjoy. When the going gets tough though, injuries happen, especially in a contact sport like football.

“Football is a rough sport! It’s the nature of the game,” said Dr. Chris Carter, sports medicine specialist at BBH Primary Care – Grand River. “It’s a contact sport, so it can lead to injury easily if the players do not use proper form.”

According to Dr. Carter, the most common injuries he sees are ankle sprains, shoulder sprains, concussions, and stingers (temporary pain, burning, or numbness that goes down the arm). “You can hurt your knee or shoulder doing anything, but with sports you’re putting yourself at higher risk. You hope you’re more protected with pads and helmets, but being out every week you’re more likely to hurt yourself, even if you’re careful,” said Dr. Carter.

But what happens if you do get injured? According to Dr. Carter, you need to make sure to allow yourself enough time to heal properly. “Re-injury is common, especially with children and teens as they are excited to play. You have to make sure they do appropriate therapy and have adequately healed before they go back out. A lot of times though, especially with stingers, players can get re-irritated easily with hyperactive nerves. Concussions are also at a higher risk to happen a second time.”

“The best way to avoid injuries all together is by using proper technique and warming up appropriately. I recommend taping ankles or using ankle braces to help give more support. Football is a dangerous sport, so you’re bound to get hurt, but using proper technique can help avoid injury,” says Dr. Carter.

Hydration also plays an important role in staying healthy during football season, especially in the South where temperatures can reach over 100 degrees in the Fall. This extreme heat can also lead to other health dangers, such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

According to Dr. Carter, if you or someone you’re playing with experiences any of the following, they could be in danger of a heat-related illness:

• Light-headed
• Confusion
• Blurred vision
• Fatigue
• Elevated temperature

If these signs appear, the best course of action is to apply ice packs to crucial areas (head, neck, armpits, and groin) or take an ice water bath. If their internal temperature is still too high, around 104, go to the ER immediately.

One last piece of advice from Dr. Carter? “Use your head, but not literally. Be smart. Play with the proper technique, and don’t rush back from an injury. It’s better to be 100% than rush back into the game and reinjure yourself. Don’t take it too seriously, because football is just a game. It’s better to be healthy and have a long life. Many football careers are short-term, so look long-term and at the big picture where your health is concerned.”