Rash of NFL Injuries Not Result of Strength Training and Conditioning

The National Strength and Conditioning Association doubt suggestions that the recent outbreak of NFL injuries is caused by the increase in strength training and conditioning of athletes.

(PRWEB) October 21, 2004 -- The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) doubt suggestions that the recent outbreak of NFL injuries is caused by the increase in strength training and conditioning of athletes.

The large number of injuries in the NFL is a concern. A recent article stated that 31 players have sustained season ending injures compared to 15 last year at this time. Among the speculative reasons for these disturbing statistics has been that somehow strength and conditioning programs could contribute to the rising number of injuries.

Bill Allerheiligen, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT, President of the National Strength and Conditioning Association, has spent 17 years as a college and professional strength and conditioning coach for football. Allerheiligen believes the evidence points to different reasons for the injuries. Allerheiligen said, Of the 31 season ending injuries, nine (29%) were due to broken bones or similar types of injuries."

So what is causing all these injuries? Dan Wathen, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D, athletic trainer at Youngstown State and strength and conditioning expert, believes, There is some validity to the fact that bigger, faster objects make more of an impact than smaller slower ones. However, without modern strength and conditioning techniques, few of the players could withstand the forces that are placed upon their body. A game at the professional level has been likened to being in multiple car wrecks. No amount of training can prevent all injuries in a collision activity such as American football. Research has shown that stronger muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones have higher yield points and are more difficult to disrupt."

NSCA, the worldwide authority on strength training and conditioning, also wants to clarify how important year-round strength training and conditioning is in decreasing the severity and recovery time of injuries.

Research shows that scientifically designed strength and conditioning programs increase connective tissue strength, as well as muscle strength. The stronger, more fit you are the better your chance of surviving, and returning to play," added Wathen.

While strength training and conditioning programs have been questioned as possible culprits in the increased number of injuries, there are a number of other factors to consider such as equipment, field conditions, rest and recovery techniques, warm up procedures prior to a game, and countless others.

Donald Chu, PhD, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT,*D states that although the answer has to be multi-factorial, I feel that equipment needs a fresh look. Bigger, faster, stronger has been the watchword for years, so naturally you get what you train for. The speed at which these people are hitting each other is incredible. The rise in the number of concussions has led to changes to the helmet but has not been universally mandated as of yet. With the speed of impact players are encountering, we need to research better shock absorbing materials that will allow them to survive the tremendous impact forces. Football padding has always been looked at as a negative by players who want to feel light and fast on the field. Today, light and fast may mean a trip to the operating room. Fast and better protected may be what is necessary to continue to play for extended periods of time in the NFL."

Evaluating why an injury has occurred is a step in the right direction, but to single out one variable such as strength training and conditioning is short-sighted," stated Chu. Until epidemiological studies are done we will not know exactly what causes many of these injuries."

Coaches and league officials do agree on one thing, however-that it is still too early to determine if this is, indeed, an epidemic.

About the NSCA
The National Strength and Conditioning Association is the leading authority on strength and conditioning. For 27 years, the NSCA has bridged science and application to provide reliable, research-based, strength and conditioning information to its members and the general public. With nearly 30,000 members worldwide, the NSCA is the largest health and fitness association in the world. For more information on NSCA professional journals, cutting edge conferences, educational text and videos, or other services, visit www.nsca-lift.org.

NOTE: For more information, or to speak with a leading strength and conditioning expert on the topic, you may contact the NSCA Public Relations Department at 800-815-6826.

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