Experts tells us what the Lionesses will be doing to prevent injury as they begin World Cup campaign
Today is England’s first match, against Haiti
Dr Andrew Mitchell is an expert in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Bedfordshire, and he tells us what the Lionesses will be doing to prepare ahead of the first match.
He said: “There’s lots they will be doing. Firstly, there’s the basics, such as following their prescribed nutritional plans, getting lots of sleep and staying hydrated, especially in such a hot environment…
“They will also have their pre-rehabilitation programmes in a preventative sense, and those work on their mobility, stability, balance and their strength, power, core stability, and obviously their cardiovascular fitness.”
Dr Mitchell, who is also Associate Dean with the Faculty Sport at the University of Bedfordshire, adds that the Lionesses themselves will also be doing everything they can to stay health and fit.
He said: “That includes cleaning their hands with alcohol wipes, and do anything they can to stop getting any of those little coughs or colds or sneezes, but also reducing the chance of injury on the pitch.”
A multidisciplinary team will also be in place to support the Lionesses if they do get injured, according to Dr Mitchell.
He added: “The clinicians, all highly qualified, will follow established protocols to evaluate and assess any potential injuries.
“Once the injury has been assessed and diagnosed, rehabilitation timelines are put in place with a view to return to play. But that timeline is reevaluated in every session depending on how the player reacts to the previous session.
“So, if they have a training session in the morning and they have no pain or discomfort that afternoon, the clinicians may progress the exercises to make them more challenging. But if there's some tightness or soreness or any other adverse reaction, they'll regress those to make them a bit easier for next time.”
Dr Mitchell says that footwear is crucial to prevent injury in football, but he does not believe in ‘lucky shoes’.
He added: “I've been involved in Sports Science for more than 30 years, and I can confirm that the majority of athletes I've worked with are superstitious in some way. They have extraordinary traditions, lucky kit, pre-game routines, etc.
“And although these may have a placebo effect and make the athlete feel better, in my opinion that doesn't matter as long as the players are in the right frame of mind to perform.
“Placebos will make you feel better, but they're not going to protect you from injury.”