ABSTRACT
Painful knee joints are common in soccer players and there is a variety of causes. This study is concerned with prevention of injuries and chronic overload of joint surfaces and ligaments. A reduction of muscle elasticity, combined with shortening – so-called muscle contractures – impairs the performance of the athlete. Muscle contractures lead to a reduction of the functional range of motion of the corresponding joints. Because muscles are arranged in functional chains, one contracted muscle interferes with the whole chain and thus with the total pattern of movement. Bi-articular muscles such as m. rectus femoris, the ischio-crural group and gastrocnemius are particularly prone to contracture. The reduction of the range of motion of one or several muscles leads to a concentration of stress within the joint structures. In addition, muscle contractures reduce the flexibility and adaptability of the player. It must be expected, that a reduced range of motion of muscles and joints increases the probability of an injury.
