REHABILITATION OF SOCCER’S ANKLE SPRAINS: A PARALEL BETWEEN THE FRENCH AND THE USA EXPERIENCE

SPORTS MEDICINE REHABILITATION SECTION

REHABILITATION OF SOCCER’S ANKLE SPRAINS: A PARALEL BETWEEN THE FRENCH AND THE USA  EXPERIENCE

Urecheianu Toma S¹, Timnea O.C. ¹, Baican M.S. ², Matei P.M.²
UEB- FEFS¹, FC Sportul Studentesc, Bucharest, Romania

Injury is a major risk for professional athletes, and for athletes returning to competition after injury the risk is even greater. Rehabilitation of these athletes must minimize the incidence and consequences of injury and ensure that injured athletes are effectively rehabilitated. French experience mention a early management that include RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation); USA experience talk about pre – functional rehabilitation which begins with PRICE therapy (protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation) both in order to maintain range of motion (ROM).
French experience rehabilitation includes 4 components : ROM rehabilitation, progressive muscle strengthening exercises, proprioceptive training and activity – specific training. USA experience: pre – functional rehabilitation and functional rehabilitation : phase   I basic elements – fitness, endurance, speed, power and agility; phase  II ball and match skill elements; phase III match paced on field rehabilitation .
KEY WORDS: rehabilitation, soccer, ankle sprains.