Keeping Kids Injury-free This Season at He's Fit

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Keeping Kids Injury-free This Season

Posted November 13, 2007 at 05:00 PM by Denise Musumeci

Section: In The News, His Fitness, Injuries & Rehab, His Gear & Apparel, Equipment, His Health, Physical Health

kids and football With the fall season upon us, many children are enjoying after school sports. While sports are a great way to develop strong bones, there is a higher risk for injuries, especially since their bones and muscles are still growing. The American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends that parents and coaches take precautions to minimize the risk of injuries.

The 2006 statistics from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission outlines the extent of sports injuries in children under 18. Football is the riskiest sport that a child can participate in, sending nearly a million of them to the hospital or doctor’s office. Basketball is second on the list with over 900,000 injuries reported. Other Fall sports include volleyball with 92,509 injuries, gymnastics with 71,057, cheerleading with 66,216 and field hockey with 11,066.

In order to reduce the risk of injuries, parents and coaches should take the following precautions: always have a child stretch and do light exercise for 3 to 5 minutes before each game, especially when it is cold outside. Encourage your child to stay active over the summer before sports season begins. Bring plenty of water to games and practices to prevent dehydration and overheating. Coaches, referees, and other officials should strictly enforce the rules of the game and discourage dangerous game tactics. Do not push a child over the point of safety. Make sure all equipment is in good shape and is used properly. Helmets, mouth guards, cups, and padding should fit properly to ensure safety. Take children to the doctor for a preseason physical to ensure there are no injuries before he or she begins the season. Most importantly, parents, coaches, and sports players should recognize the warning signs of pain and injury. Children should always notify their coaches and parents of any pain in order to prevent serious damage and never ignore the warning signs of an injury. Following these precautions will ensure a winning situation for your child’s season.

Research sources and for more information: [Medical News Today]; [picture]