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  • Essay / The most popular sports in the world: football - 1142

    Football remains the most popular sport in the world. Although it is known as soccer in the United States, it is known worldwide as association football, or simply soccer. It is currently played by around 250 million people in over two hundred countries. The sport involves two teams of eleven members in each team. Teams must score goals with a spherical ball by passing the ball from player to player. However, players are not allowed to touch the ball with their hands. Instead, they must use other parts of their body, such as their elbows, knees, feet, and even their head, to pass the ball from one player to another (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2014). Since this sport involves running, jumping, and other physical activities, a wide variety of injuries are associated with it. This article will focus on the most common football-related injuries, how they occur and how they are treated. Common Football-Related Injuries As with all sports, football causes a number of common injuries. These injuries are related to the running, jumping, and striking associated with the sport. The most common injuries associated with this sport include lower extremity sprains and strains. It is important to distinguish what a sprain is and what a strain is. A sprain is an injury to a joint. This normally involves the ligaments in the joint being stretched beyond their normal capacity. A ligament is a type of fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones. A strain is an injury to a muscle. It is more commonly called a “pulled muscle”. Depending on the severity of the muscle strain, muscle fibers and tissues may be torn. Obviously, all muscle strains and joint sprains have a varying level of severity. The different levels of severity combine...... middle of paper ......However, dislocations still require a period of rest to ensure proper healing of the ligaments and tendons. Fractures are usually “repaired” with a cast. Obviously, this requires a significant period of time before the person can practice this sport again. An ACL tear normally requires surgery. The person will also need to take a serious break from sports. A person should no longer play football or engage in physical activity after a serious injury until cleared to do so by a doctor (Stop Sports Injuries, n.d.). ConclusionFootball is the most popular sport in the world. As a contact sport, it often results in injuries to its players. These injuries include sprains, strains, fractures and minor injuries. A common injury is a torn ACL of the knee. While some injuries only require a period of rest, others require surgery..