Team doctor criticizes: Late repetition game endangers players!

Team doctor criticizes: Late repetition game endangers players!

On Sunday, June 29th, everything will be on the field again in handball when the Dessau-Roßlauer HV competes against TuSEM Essen. But while the players are fighting for every point at the weekend, experts are already concerned about the health risks that such a late repetition game brings. Team doctor Cindy Schödel is concerned about the increased risk of injury for the athletes, which can result from the late findings. "An earlier appointment would have been ideal to ensure recovery after a long season," said Schödel. She emphasizes that muscles, ligaments and tendons are now heavily used and take time to regenerate.

The challenges in front of which the athletes are facing are enormous. Due to the constant pressure and the multitude of games, you not only have to stay physically, but also mentally fit, which can often lead to chronic overload syndrome. "The mental burden should not be underestimated," explains the team doctor. An increased cortisol level, which results from constant stress, can also result in sleep disorders and gastrointestinal problems. The performance also suffers, which increases the risk of injury due to decreasing responsiveness.

recovery as a key

The upcoming season preparation begins on July 7, just one week after the critical repetition game. During this time, players of the Dessau-Roßlauer HV often have to deal with minor injuries because the body has to come back into shape after the break. A short regeneration phase makes the athletes more susceptible to injury. Schödel warns: "A point for relegation on Sunday is urgently necessary." The game will kick off at 5 p.m., led by the referees Tobias Tönnies and Robert Schulze.

The pressure on the players is not only given through the coming game. Handball in general is one of the most physically demanding sports, which the national players feel particularly strong. High -ranking events such as the European Championship in January 2023, the Summer Olympic Games and the World Cup in January 2024 place extreme requirements for players. "Olympicics often pay for their high workload with injuries," says sports doctor Alexander-Stephan Henze, who also acts as a team doctor at TVB Stuttgart. His reference to the burdens illustrates how important recreational phases have become to counteract injuries.

psychological stress in professional sports

But not only the physical aspects are important. A study from sports medicine shows that competitive athletes are increasingly suffering from psychological stress. The stressors include pressure to perform, fear of injury and the enormous expectations that are placed on them. After their career, athletes are often confronted with new problems: the loss of sporting identity and the associated usual processes can also lead to psychological symptoms. "It is crucial that these topics are already addressed during the career," recommend the authors of a meta -analysis that traces a growing interest in mental health in sport.