Workload and injuries in professional sports: what is the connection between them?

AISTS Sport Medicine Podcasts

The episode discusses the connection between workload and injuries in professional football, particularly with the current fixture congestion in top European leagues as they try to complete the season on a tight schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Inappropriate load management is considered a major risk factor for injuries in football as it increases the risk of acute and overuse injuries. However, exposure to load could allow the body to tolerate load, and training develops physical qualities that could be associated with a reduced risk of injury. The experts suggest that an ideal workload for athletes is a moving target, and it changes constantly based on multiple factors such as the phase of the season, training status, fitness, and fatigue levels. Load should be prescribed or recommended on an individual and flexible basis.