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Lorraine Mathe
A BULAWAYO-BASED sport science expert Dr Joseph Sibindi has urged elderly football players to work with sport science experts in order to help them in the early examination and diagnosis of injuries and illnesses.
Upon realising that elderly citizens also suffer from depression, heart failure, diabetes, dementia, circulatory system conditions and arthritis, Dr Sibindi said it was important for elderly football players to engage with physiotherapists for their health status.
His advice came after he visited the Entumbane grannies, at their training ground in Entumbane suburb.
“For them to know their health status they have to do physical check-ups regularly and it is a must for football soccer teams to have a physiotherapist,” he said.
He said it was risky for a football team not to have a physiotherapist because they play a key role in sports injury rehabilitation within the sports healthcare team.
“The cerebellum, a part of the brain that controls balance and posture controls a number of functions. These include movement, speech, balance and posture which also comes as a result of football played by the elderly,” he said.
Dr Sibindi said that every soccer player had the risk of getting injured on the football field whether it is the goalkeeper or the in-field players.
“Getting injured only relies on how strong, healthy and active an individual is,” he said.
He said football, let alone any sport, had various benefits which are good for the health of the old citizens.
“It helps in disease management, mental health benefits, relieves stress, happiness, balance and co-ordination and helps in fighting insomnia,” he said.
Dr Sibindi said when he visited the Entumbane grannies, at their training ground he was impressed as he did not witness any harsh movements of players that may lead to serious injuries.
He further said workouts do not only include playing soccer but the engagement in household chores, going to the boreholes to fetch water and engaging socially with other people.
Dr Sibindi urges grannies who play soccer to continue playing football and other sports.
He also urges them to check their health statuses periodically as the elderly are exposed to various diseases.
Football playing also ensures lower risks of dementia in the elderly citizens.
The elderly people can experience Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) if they have certain medical conditions that impact how their blood clots.
“Exercise and football playing is also another way that can help in the prevention of blood from clotting,” said Dr Sibindi.
The Entumbane grannies coach Nobuhle Mirriam Majika (33) said the grannies who went to South Africa also reduced loneliness, met new people in a different environment, and made friends through social engagement with other grannies.
Siphakeme .Mnindwa
