Created by Wyatt Kahn for The Art of the Game, photographed by Megan Maloy for ARTS 14C // Each of my stories includes an original artwork. Clicking on them will take you to their websites. I am grateful for all the collaborators, sharing their work.
Nothing sells the game like a World Cup. One team, 11 players, four positions—and the knockout rounds are roaring.
I talked about position dynamics and their related injuries with Dr. Zafar Iqbal, who until recently led sports medicine at ******* nal with a 21-year record consulting in sports and exercise medicine.
The keeper is the only player allowed to use their hands, and pays for it up top. “Goalkeepers face a significantly higher risk of upper limb injuries than outfield players because of the repeated high force impacts involved in blocking, catching, and punching the ball,” says Iqbal. “These actions place substantial stress on the fingers, wrists, elbows, and shoulders.” The usual casualties are sprained, dislocated and broken fingers, and “it’s rare to meet a professional goalkeeper who hasn’t experienced at least one such injury,” he admits. His advice for the weekend warrior: “Protecting your hands as a recreational goalkeeper starts with using appropriate, well-fitted gloves that provide adequate padding and grip.” A finger that swells, weakens or stops bending is one to get checked, not to tape up.
Defenders live in contact. They are particularly ******* e to lower‑limb injuries, which may occur through side tackles or overuse. One of their signature injuries is the ankle sprain. “This usually happens when the ankle rolls inward (inversion), overstretching the ligaments on the lateral side of the ankle,” Iqbal explains. “Less commonly, the ankle may roll outward (eversion), affecting the medial ligaments, or rotate in a way that stresses structures higher up in the ankle.” The temptation is to charge back the moment it stops hurting, and that is the trap. “Players often feel ready to return because pain has subsided, but pain relief alone does not mean the ankle has fully recovered,” he warns. “If strength, range of motion, or proprioception remain impaired, the risk of re-injury is significantly higher.” Does taping help? “Taping can sometimes provide additional support to healing ligaments and improve proprioception—the body’s ability to maintain balance and joint position—which helps reduce the likelihood of recurrent sprains.”
Nothing sells the game like a World Cup. One team, 11 players, four positions—and the knockout rounds are roaring.
I talked about position dynamics and their related injuries with Dr. Zafar Iqbal, who until recently led sports medicine at ******* nal with a 21-year record consulting in sports and exercise medicine.
The keeper is the only player allowed to use their hands, and pays for it up top. “Goalkeepers face a significantly higher risk of upper limb injuries than outfield players because of the repeated high force impacts involved in blocking, catching, and punching the ball,” says Iqbal. “These actions place substantial stress on the fingers, wrists, elbows, and shoulders.” The usual casualties are sprained, dislocated and broken fingers, and “it’s rare to meet a professional goalkeeper who hasn’t experienced at least one such injury,” he admits. His advice for the weekend warrior: “Protecting your hands as a recreational goalkeeper starts with using appropriate, well-fitted gloves that provide adequate padding and grip.” A finger that swells, weakens or stops bending is one to get checked, not to tape up.
Defenders live in contact. They are particularly ******* e to lower‑limb injuries, which may occur through side tackles or overuse. One of their signature injuries is the ankle sprain. “This usually happens when the ankle rolls inward (inversion), overstretching the ligaments on the lateral side of the ankle,” Iqbal explains. “Less commonly, the ankle may roll outward (eversion), affecting the medial ligaments, or rotate in a way that stresses structures higher up in the ankle.” The temptation is to charge back the moment it stops hurting, and that is the trap. “Players often feel ready to return because pain has subsided, but pain relief alone does not mean the ankle has fully recovered,” he warns. “If strength, range of motion, or proprioception remain impaired, the risk of re-injury is significantly higher.” Does taping help? “Taping can sometimes provide additional support to healing ligaments and improve proprioception—the body’s ability to maintain balance and joint position—which helps reduce the likelihood of recurrent sprains.”
4 months ago
