Abstract des Autors

Participation in sport is on the increase and therefore so is the number of sport related injuries. Prevention is better than cure and whilst injuries can occur at any time, it is vital that every effort is made to ensure that the body is in the best possible condition to participate in the chosen sport. Whilst injuries can occur at any time, they are normally a result of musculoskeletal overload due to training errors or muscular imbalance. Injuries in sport can be greatly reduced by the correct preseason training, fitness and flexibility maintenance and the appropriate use of protective clothing. Physiotherapy in sport and particularly in football fits into almost all situations and incidents of injury. The physiotherapist, as a member of a strong support team, can have a very important role and influence on injury prevention, injury treatment and rehabilitation. However, the participant also has a responsibility to both himself and his body. Although this congress is focusing on football my personal experience is mainly in the game of soccer. For the last 21 years I have been associated as a physiotherapist with a Dutch professional soccer team called Feijenoord of Rotterdam. It is my aim to tackle the subject of physiotherapy and football by explaining my view of the role of the team sportsphysiotherapist. This role focuses on three main subjects: 1. Injury prevention, 2. Injury treatment, 3. Rehabilitation. It is important, however, to point out that a physiotherapist can only be fully efficient and effective if he is a full member of a strong support team consisting of trainer/coach, manager, masseur and team doctor. Verf.-Referat