Mysterious muscle injuries in FCS: what's behind them?

On average, a professional football team in Europe experiences twelve muscle injuries in a season. This is what a study from 2018 says, which was carried out by renowned sports medicine experts. Among others, Helge Riepenhof (former team doctor at AS Roma), Riccardo Del Vescovo (chief physician at AS Roma and doctor at the famous Villa Stuart sports clinic in Rome) and Jan-Niklas Droste (team doctor at RB Leipzig) worked on the study.

At FC Südtirol, six players are currently out with a muscle injury - after just four Serie B games. A large part of the season has not yet been completed and the FCS has already suffered an enormous number of (and very serious) muscle injuries. Statistically, the FCS is significantly above the “normal” rate. Striking: Only Fabian Tait was injured during a game. The failures of Nicholas Siega (missing 3 weeks), Mattia Sprocati (8 weeks), Kevin Vinetot (4 weeks), Michele Marconi (9 weeks) and Alberto Barison (he is back in team training) happened during training. Davide Voltan has also been struggling with problems for weeks. Is it all just bad luck? Not at all, as football fitness guru Raymond Verheijen claims. Nicholas Siega has yet to play in a championship game for the FCS. He is out with a muscle injury.

The Dutchman is known for his sometimes harsh criticism of the training methods of football coaches. He himself worked with great success as a fitness trainer for various club and national teams and is considered an advocate of game-related training. This would improve the fitness of the players while minimizing the risk of injury. The many muscle injuries are the result of incorrect strain and non-specific training, says Verheijen. The following quote comes from Roberto Martinez, current Belgian national coach: “If you suffer a muscle injury while playing football, something was done wrong.” But what does that say about FC Südtirol? Bisoli wants to get to the bottom of the problem New coach Pierpaolo Bisoli was also upset about the many muscle injuries at FCS. “Six muscle injuries in two months? Something is wrong here. I'll take a look at that," said Bisoli after the 2-1 win over Pisa. He also apparently doesn't believe in bad luck or coincidences. The problem must lie in the area of training and load control - Bisoli's statements suggest. It is not the first time that the White Reds have had to struggle with numerous muscle injuries. There were already big problems under Stefano Vecchi. For example, in the playoff game against Triestina (that was the first game after the first Corona lockdown) numerous professionals were canceled. The game was lost. Andrea Arpili (r.) has been responsible for the fitness of the FCS professionals since the summer.

Andrea Arpili has been the fitness trainer for FC Südtirol since this year. Alberto Berselli, who was previously in charge, has moved to Venezia with head coach Ivan Javorcic. Since Bisoli's arrival, Danilo Chiodi, who is a mixture of assistant and athletic trainer, has been another expert at the White Reds. It can be assumed that Bisoli's confidant will take a closer look at the situation. Solving the muscle injury puzzle will be an important task for the coaching staff. Series B is already a huge task for the FCS. Having to permanently do without half of the regular team doesn't make things any easier.

Serie B Italy	SP	TV	P
1. Parma	34	59:32	70
2. As	34	54:37	67
3. Venice	34	62:39	64
4. Cremonese	34	43:28	60
5. Catanzaro	34	53:42	56
6. Palermo	34	58:48	52
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Mysterious muscle injuries in FCS: what's behind them?

FC Südtirol suffered an above-average number of muscle injuries in the first few weeks of Serie B. Now coach Pierpaolo Bisoli wants to get to the bottom of the problem. Is it just bad luck or is there more to it?

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