There are good reasons why 75% of American families have at least one school-aged child participating in youth sports, according to the National Institutes of Health. Kids who play sports tend to have better grades, regulate their emotions more effectively and have a lower risk of long-term illnesses such as heart disease. Youth sports also help children build strength, confidence, teamwork and healthy habits.
But the truth is that youth sports carry some risk. Every year, millions of American children visit the emergency room for sports injuries. However, parents can help prevent sports injuries in kids by encouraging warm-ups, rest days, proper gear, hydration and honest conversations about pain.
How Parents Can Help Prevent Sports Injuries
It’s important for parents to remember that children are still growing, which makes them more vulnerable to sports injuries than adults. The most common sports injuries among kids happen in their bones, tendons and muscles. Because children’s bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments are still developing, pain that seems minor should not be ignored if it persists, worsens or affects how your child plays. Parents can help prevent sports injuries by:
- Avoiding pushing their child to play through pain
- Building in rest days, especially during intense training periods
- Checking that shoes, helmets, pads and other protective gear fit correctly
- Encouraging sport-specific conditioning before the season starts
- Encouraging their child to speak up about pain, fatigue or dizziness
- Making sure their child warms up before practice or games
Parents should also watch for signs of injury, such as swelling, limping, worsening pain, reduced performance or loss of interest.
Make Time to Rest
When it comes to sports injuries, rest matters. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids take a combined three-month break from a specific sport each year. This is because playing through pain or training year-round in a single sport can increase the risk of burnout and overuse injuries in children.
Overuse injuries can occur when a child repeats the same motion or trains too often without enough recovery time. These injuries may start with mild pain but can worsen if your child continues to practice or compete. But rest assured, we offer dedicated orthopedic care services to help them recover.
Concussion Symptoms Parents Should Watch For
Knowing the warning signs of a concussion is critical because getting a brain injury can make it easier to get another one. While concussions heal over time, repeated concussions can cause long-term brain damage. Watch for symptoms such as:
- Balance problems
- Changes in mood or behavior
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Light sensitivity
- Nausea
- Trouble focusing
If you suspect a concussion, remove your child from play and have them evaluated by a healthcare provider. Your child’s doctor or a sports injury specialist will determine when it’s safe to return to play.
Sprains, Strains and Fractures
The best treatment for a sore or pulled muscle is summarized by the acronym “RICE,” which stands for:
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevation
When pain is severe or you suspect your child may have broken a bone or dislocated a joint, see a doctor right away. Urgent care centers are often a good option for these injuries.
Proper protective gear and the enforcement of rules against dangerous play — such as headfirst slides in baseball — can prevent sprains, strains and fractures. In addition, your child should have at least one day off per week from a particular sport to prevent overuse and allow the body to recover.
Be Weary of the Heat
When the body can’t keep cool, conditions like heat exhaustion can follow. The most serious heat-related injury is heat stroke, a medical emergency that can be fatal. The signs of heat stroke include:
- Cramps and muscle weakness
- Dizziness or faintness
- Lack of sweating despite the heat
- Nausea
If you see a child who may have heat stroke, bring them into the shade, give them cold drinks and apply ice packs to their neck, groin and armpits.
