October 17, 2003

Women's soccer benefits from MGH medical expertise

Thomas Gill, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon in MGH Sports Medicine Services, served as medical director for the 2003 Women's World Cup soccer tournament, which was held at Gillette Stadium Sept. 27 through Oct. 1.

Gill led the team of clinicians and oversaw all medical operations for the national and international delegations — which included athletes, coaches and dignitaries — at the fourth edition of the tournament.

"Women's athletics have gone through a tremendous growth period over the last decade," says Gill. "The Women's World Cup in soccer provided an opportunity for some of the best female athletes in the world to play in one tournament and compete for the title of world champion."

The event featured 56 current and former Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) players, along with some of the best known women's soccer players in the world. Boston was one of six cities to host the tournament.

"Women now are competing at a level that is on par with their male counterparts — from elementary schools to the professional ranks,"says Gill. "They experience, however, very strong forces against their muscles and joints, which can result in a higher incidence of some injuries. The challenge for the field of sports medicine is to continue to improve not only its surgical and rehabilitative techniques, but to develop innovative preventive medicine practices as well.