Back to school means back to books, catching the bus, and early-morning schedules. For many students, it also means participating in school sports. In general, kids are encouraged to participate in organized sports at school because the programs promote physical exercise, healthy lifestyles, and teamwork – all good things. But with school sports there’s also the risk of a not-so-good thing – sports-related injury.
Injuries Big and Small
The rate and severity of sports-related injuries increase with an athlete’s age. High school athletes alone account for an estimated two million injuries, 30,000 hospitalizations and 500,000 doctor visits each year. But younger kids can get injured playing school sports as well. It is estimated that more than 3.5 million children ages 14 and under receive medical treatment for sports-related injuries annually.
Many different kinds of physical damage characterize sports-related injuries, such as sprains and strains, fractures, knee injuries, swollen muscles, shin pain, dislocations, and Achilles tendon injuries. Sometimes injuries can be even more severe. Injuries related to sports and recreation account for 21 percent of traumatic brain injuries in children in the United States.
Safety First
One of the most common ways sports injuries occur is by overuse. Repeated motion, poor conditioning, insufficient rest after and injury, and poor training often contribute to overuse injuries. That’s why it is important that your student athletes are properly prepared for school sports.
Keep them in shape. Ensure that your student athletes are in good physical condition to participate in sports. Make sure they are eating a healthy and balanced diet and that they are physically able to cope with the rigors of the sports they choose to participate in.
Sports physicals are a good way to make sure your kids are in shape for school sports. During a sports physical, your child’s doctor will assess your child’s medical history and physical fitness. The doctor might ask your child questions about diet, supplements, and/or the particular sport he or she is involved in. The doctor might also recommend stretching and strengthening exercises that could help your child avoid injury.
Check in with coach. Another way to help kids avoid injury is to make sure their coaches are looking out for them. Check with your kids’ coaches to ensure that they have a knowledge and background in the sport they are coaching. Make sure they have training in first aid, CPR, and automatic external defibrillator use and that they bring a well-stocked first aid kit to every game and practice.
Check that the coach also has a hydration plan in place for games, and that he or she has an alternative plan for outdoor games and practices in case of inclement weather.
Practice safely. Since more than half of all sports injuries occur during practice, it is important for coaches to follow the safety guidelines used at games during practice as well. As a parent, it is also important for you to adhere to the same safety standards during your child’s practices as during games. This includes not allowing your child to practice after an injury until the injury has had sufficient time to heal.
Make sure that your child’s coach is limiting practices to no more than two hours a session and that he or she includes warm-up and cool-down stretching in the mix.
Use equipment properly. Check with your student’s coach to make sure that the equipment used for practice and games is well maintained. Always make sure your child wears the required safety equipment for his or her sport—both during games and practice.
Have Fun and Stay Safe
School sports can be a lot of fun and can help equip kids with teamwork skills and healthy habits they’ll use throughout their lives.
Sometimes sports injuries can’t be avoided. But by practicing proper safety and knowing your child’s limitations, you can help keep injuries – not athletes – on the sidelines. |
