Running increase linked with injuries
One of the country's leading sports doctors has warned clubs are risking a rise in stress- related injuries on the back of a league-wide push towards heavier running programs.
Port Adelaide came within a kick of reaching last year's grand final thanks to a hard-running game many rival clubs have tried to replicate over the pre-season.
But sports medico Peter Larkins said there were dangers for clubs, in particular Fremantle and West Coast, if they concentrated on running at training.
Larkins said WA's hard grounds could be troublesome.
Fremantle are coping with a string of stress reactions and soft-tissue problems.
Young defender Alex Pearce is sidelined with foot stress fractures, while the training loads of draftees Ed Langdon and Sean Hurley have been lightened because of foot soreness.
Zac Dawson is also battling to be fit for round one because of groin soreness.
In a positive for the 141-game defender, he yesterday signed a two-year contract extension with the Dockers.
West Coast have experienced issues, most notably with Jack Darling who will miss the start of the season as he recovers from a stress fracture to his right foot.
Larkins said while he was yet to witness a noticeable rise in stress fractures among AFL players, there were heightened risks when footballers were asked to cover more kilometres.
"There's a risk in any time where you increase the loads too quickly," Larkins said.
"The harder grounds are more prone to impact and that's why Etihad Stadium has always had a reputation for causing more soreness and stress-related injuries.
"Perth and Queensland are a higher risk for stress injuries than the other States.
"There's a risk in what's going on … if they (clubs) maintain a lot of running during the season, then you'd anticipate there might be more stress-related things."
Eagles coach Adam Simpson said last month he'd seen a rise in stress injuries across the league.
"I get the feeling there's more stress-related injuries than hamstrings at the moment," he said. "We're trying to manage it ourselves and get to the bottom of it. We've got a couple, but there's some clubs with four or five."
Larkins backed Port Adelaide's running program, saying it was based on intensity, not volume.
