How to Reduce the Risk of Injuries in Young Athletes

April is National Youth Sports Safety Month

Having children participate in sports is an important part of a healthy and active lifestyle. Unfortunately, sports injuries can, and do, occur.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than half of the seven million sports and recreation-related injuries that occur each year are sustained by youth between ages five and 24.

 

Aspirus Athletic Trainer Blade Cameron says, “in high school and junior high athletics there are three types of injuries I see most often. The first would be ankle sprains, which occur from an overstretching of the ligaments, second would be various forms of tendonitis in certain joints such as the knees, elbows or wrists, and lastly soft tissue injuries such as muscle strains in the quad, hamstring, or groin.”

 

However common, there are still several ways to keep children active while also reducing their risk of a sports related injury.

 

Gear up – Whether during practice or games, athletes should be using protective gear, such as helmets, wrist guards and knee and elbow pads in addition to any other sports gear appropriate to their activity or player position.

 

Use the right stuff – Be sure that sports protective equipment is maintained correctly and is in good condition. Poorly fitted equipment may be uncomfortable and may not offer proper protection.

 

Practice makes perfect – Have athletes learn and practice skill sets relevant to their chosen activity. For example, appropriate tackling technique is important in preventing injuries in football and soccer. Correct biomechanics, or movement and alignment, also plays a role in preventing injuries during baseball, softball, and many other activities.

 

Be well conditioned – Be sure to safely and slowly increase activities to improve physical fitness; being in good condition can protect players from injury.

 

Hydration and nutrition – Remind athletes to take care of their bodies by making sure they are properly hydrated and eating a well-balanced meal.

 

Be a good model – Communicate positive messages about safety and serve as role models for safe behavior, including a wearing helmet and following the rules.

 

“When it comes to recovery, every athlete and injury is going to be different. On the milder end, some athletes can see relief from an injury within a hand full of days, but the injury may take a week or two to completely heal. In more severe injuries, healing and recovery can take upwards of a year, especially in surgical cases,” says Cameron.

 

Safety and health should be a top priority for coaches and parents to keep athletes in the game and having fun, this includes listening to players’ concerns and identifying injuries.

They can also encourage players to be honest if they are experiencing pain and not to push through it. If an injury does occur, parents and athletes can follow the acronym RICE to aid recovery.

 

Rest and protect the injured or sore area.

 

Ice or use a cold pack as soon as possible.

 

Compression, or wrapping the injured or sore area with an elastic bandage.

 

Elevation (propping up) the injured or sore area.

 

“When players push through pain or mild injuries it can increase their risk of developing a more severe injury that, in the end, may involve surgery and decrease their time playing the sport they love. We want our athletes to enjoy their sport and get as much playing time as they can without sacrificing their health and wellbeing,” says Cameron.

 

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