Preventing Sports Injuries

Posted: June 1, 2005

Team sports are a great way for kids to improve physical fitness, coordination and self-discipline. Unfortunately, they can also result in injuries such as sore shoulders, swollen knees and other ailments that, if not taken seriously, can become chronic later in life.

Certified athletic trainers and orthopaedic surgeons have observed an alarming increase in adult-type athletic injuries among children and adolescents. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 3.5 million sports-related injuries in children under age 15 were treated in the U.S. in 2003.

Young athletes are not merely small adults. Their bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments are still growing, which make them more susceptible to injury.

Growth plates — the areas of developing cartilage where bone growth occurs in youngsters — are weaker than the nearby ligaments and tendons. What is often a bruise or sprain in an adult can be a potentially serious growth plate injury in a young athlete.

Overuse Syndrome
Why has there been such a surge in youth sports injuries? Many orthopaedic surgeons and certified athletic trainers (ATCs) believe it's "Overuse Syndrome.”

Since many kids are playing the same sport constantly instead of participating in a variety of activities, they suggest cross-training in moderation throughout the year to prevent one area from becoming overworked and stressed.

Young athletes should always warm up before beginning any activity, take rest breaks, replenish fluids and cool down and stretch after play. To avoid seasonal overuse, players should not participate in more than one sports team at a time.

Precautions recommended
All young athletes should have pre-participation exams to ensure they're fit for play. Parents and coaches play an important role and should instruct proper techniques, be alert to injuries, hold practices and games with adequate rest days built into the schedule and have an emergency plan in place.

There also are a number of safety measures that should be put into practice when setting up and/or supervising a number of popular athletic and recreational activities:

Baseball – Players should be taught proper sliding techniques, avoiding headfirst sliding. Breakaway bases and larger first-base bags should be installed on all playing fields. It also is crucial to protect pitchers with L-screens and ball and bat regulations.

Cheerleading – Limit the height and complexity of stunts, ensure flyers maintain a vertical level and improve the skills of the spotters.

Ice hockey – Players should wear the proper gear, including pads, helmets and facemasks. They should also avoid checking from behind.

Pole vault – Make certain that there are larger landing pads and soft surfaces adjacent to the targeted landing areas. It also may be beneficial to move the crossbar closer to the landing pad.

Soccer – Smaller balls should be used at the youth level and athletes should be trained on the proper heading and kicking techniques. Also, goal posts should be anchored securely and should not be used for climbing.

Swimming – Swimmers should adhere to all rules, specifically in race diving. Swimmers should not hyperventilate prior to race dive and should break the surface of the water before 15 meters.

Wrestling – Strict penalties should be placed on participants for intentional slams. Also, wrestlers should use the heads-up technique.

Source: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

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