Dr. Prince Pambo, the team doctor for Ghana’s senior national football team, has raised alarms regarding the growing incidence of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries among players.
In an interview with FlashScore, Dr. Pambo linked this increase to the congested training and match schedules, which have significantly heightened the demands on players compared to previous periods.
“What we have noticed is that the load players are exposed to has quadrupled compared to previous times. Players are now participating in more games and training sessions than ever before, which increases their risk of injury,” he stated.
He also pointed out that the quality of playing surfaces is a contributing factor to the problem, stating, “The quality of pitches can also contribute to injury risk. Uneven surfaces can lead to twists around the knee that result in ACL tears.”
Recent injuries to key players like Alidu Seidu and Fatawu Issahaku have brought this issue to the forefront, with Dr. Pambo emphasizing the significant impact these injuries have on both players and team performance.
“ACL injuries are not something any player wishes for themselves or even for an enemy,” he remarked, recalling the heavy toll on the team when Issahaku suffered his injury.
To combat the rising injury concerns, Dr. Pambo proposed a multi-faceted approach, saying, “It is time for our medical team and sports psychologists to work with players on managing their mental health after such setbacks.”
He stressed the importance of carefully managing training loads, ensuring player wellness, and maintaining quality playing environments to help reduce the risk of ACL injuries.
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