The advent of sports camps and organized activities means that children nowadays are more apt to participate in their selected sports all year round. However, this extended duration of play increases the chance of encountering injuries related to sports. These can include knee injuries like ACL and meniscus damage, or injuries to the labrum or UCL in the shoulder and elbow. Here are five tips to help prevent sports injuries in kids.
Avoid Playing When You’re Hurt
This point is of utmost significance. For those passionate about sports, the allure to dive back into the game even after an injury is strong. However, engaging in physical activity while injured or before completely healed is not advisable. This can result in a more severe injury, potentially causing you to remain off the field for an extended period.
Communicate openly with your parents and coaches about any injuries you’ve sustained. Seek medical attention for your injuries and adhere to the doctor’s guidance regarding the appropriate time and manner to resume practice and play.
Ensure Children Have Rest Periods Between Games
A significant overlooked method of injury prevention is ensuring sufficient recovery time. If your child participates in soccer programs or tends to push themselves too hard, they are likely to suffer from muscle exhaustion, which could increase their chances of injuries such as sprains or fractures. Urge your child to take regular breaks and during their sports off-season, ensure they have ample time to recover.
Emphasize Hydration
​Ensuring sufficient hydration is indispensable for individuals participating in sports. However, it’s often bypassed or neglected, causing muscle contractions and spasms. Encourage your child to bring a water bottle and take consistent sips wherever they go.
Be vigilant for signs of dehydration such as nausea, weariness, disorientation, and fainting. Be extra attentive on warm and humid days; exercising early in the morning or late afternoon when it’s cooler is recommended.
Maintain Adult Supervision
Competent adults should oversee all group sports or activities involving children. Opt for leagues and teams that prioritize safety and injury prevention to the same extent as you do. The team’s coach should be equipped with first aid and CPR training, and their coaching approach should prioritize the players’ health. A coach overly focused on winning might push children to play even when injured, and may not cultivate a spirit of fair play. The coach should adhere to game rules and always mandate using safety gear.
Don’t Overdo It
Excessive training hours in sports can result in injuries due to overuse. It’s crucial to ensure you’re not practicing excessively without taking sufficient breaks. Overexerting your body may cause harm. If you’ve had a break from sports, it isn’t wise to immediately resume at your previous training intensity. Your muscles may have lost some strength and your ligaments could be stiffer than before. These factors increase your risk of injury unless you gradually rebuild your muscle strength and flexibility through stretching and gradual training.
Endnote
Regarding injuries in youth sports, the essential lesson to impart to children is the importance of playing safely. By adhering to the five straightforward pointers in this piece, you can pave the way for your child’s successful sports journey and gain peace of mind knowing the chances of them getting injured are reduced.
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Explanation: player statistics (a/b c)
a - games played this season
b - goals scored
c - team position (d - defender, m - midfielder, f - forward, g - goalkeeper).
