Article: For the Midfield Maestro O'Brien, One Injury Led to Another

[dark knight]

For most of the past four years, the muscles in John O'Brien's lower body have been as unbalanced as a checkbook. Or, more precisely, his body became a game of medical Mouse Trap, one biomechanical problem leading to another in a debilitating chain reaction.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/23/sports/soccer/23soccer.html?ex=1149048000&en=b2bc1817f9ba0072&ei=5070&emc=eta1

[JRstriker12]

The running, cutting and kicking aspects of soccer tend to overdevelop the quadriceps muscles in the thigh that straighten the knee and provide a kicking motion, the hip flexor muscles that lift the knee and allow bending at the waist, and the gluteal muscles that form the buttocks.

"The consequence of that is that muscles on the other side are getting weaker" or imbalanced, said Pierre Barrieu, the fitness coach for the national team. "If you look at soft tissue injuries in soccer, 99.5 percent of them are hamstring or groin."

Interesting.

Hopefully players will smarten up and work on strengthening the opposing muscle groups to prevent injuries.

[Shackleton]

1. Not exactly sure why, but this article did not inspire confidence in me that O'Brien won't break down after any strenuous period of activity. I'm afraid O'Brien may be a victim of over-analysis.

2. Isn't Mastroeni the "midfield maestro?"

[cleansheetbsc]

I'm afraid O'Brien may be a victim of over-analysis.


Or he is just injury-prone. Happens a lot.

He's getting off light. Heck, one day he could win the Kentucky Derby and 3 weeks later he is being served as the main course in restaruants throughout Quebec.

[peledre]

Wow, O'Brien has some real serious issues that I don't think he'll ever be able to truly overcome. It's a shame for such a talented player.

[turbostevo]

He's getting off light. Heck, one day he could win the Kentucky Derby and 3 weeks later he is being served as the main course in restaruants throughout Quebec.

That's funny. :)

[sidefootsitter]

This still doesn't explain how an elbow to midsection vs. TnT kept him out for the next three months.

As one group of muscles overcompensating for another, this happens all the time but the cumulative effect of these injuries on John's body is in the Woodgatian category.

Or maybe Woodgate is O'Brienesque.

Or Waltonish.

Or something.

[GoDC]

I only care if O'Brien is healthy from now until July 9. After that he plays for Chivas.

[SideNetting]

...he'll play for Chivas, in theory. I sure hope they only signed him to a one year deal.