Sports Safety for Kids

Youths between the ages of 5 and 24 sustain more than 3.5 million sports and recreation-related injuries each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Despite the risk, however, children can develop fitness habits that last a lifetime, learn the value of teamwork and understand the importance of working toward a goal through their participation in sports. Taking steps to keep children safe during practice and games can help retain the benefits while decreasing the risk of injury.

Significance

Common injuries among young athletes include bruises, sprains, abrasions and fractures. However, orthopedists associated with the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons note that sports, especially contact sports, also put children and teens at risk for severe injuries to the neck, spinal cord and other joints. Another concern involves minor injuries to tendons, muscles and joints that might seem like simple soreness initially but over time result in what orthopedists identify as overuse or repetitive motion injuries, such as "Little League Elbow."

Time Frame

The experts at Kids Health report that age and physical maturity matter when it comes to sports safety. It may seem obvious that an 8-year-old and a 15-year-old should not compete on opposing football teams. However, also keep in mind the size of your 8-year-old compared to his teammates when choosing a sport. Significant differences in height and weight, even among team members, can increase risk of injury. Additionally, younger children naturally have slower reaction times and lack the coordination of older teens and adults, which make them more susceptible to injury in certain sports. For instance, a 5-year-old can find it more difficult than a 10-year-old to catch a football before it hits him in the face.

Equipment and Site Safety

Making sure your child has the appropriate helmet, shoes, protective eyewear, padding, mouth guards and other safety equipment might help prevent or significantly reduce the severity of sports injuries. Playing surfaces also factor into the safety equation. Fields with uneven surfaces and holes can cause players to trip and fall. Tall grass also increases the fall risk for many sports. Kids Health recommends that high-impact sports, such as basketball and running, take place on prepared tracks and wooden basketball courts rather than less-forgiving concrete or asphalt.

Considerations

Heat-related illnesses are particularly concerning in young athletes, according to National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Children perspire less than adults do and actually need a higher core body temperature to trigger sweating, one of the body's defenses against overheating. Heat injuries can quickly become life threatening and require immediate attention. Providing adequate fluids and establishing mandatory rest breaks during games and practice can reduce risks. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include nausea, dizziness, weakness, headache, pale and moist skin, weak pulse, dilated pupils, disorientation and fainting.

Expert Insight

The experts at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons state that regular conditioning with appropriate warm-up and cool-down exercises before and after sports activities can help prevent many sports-related injuries. They also note that coaches and parents help prevent injuries when they foster healthy competition and emphasize self-reliance, confidence, cooperation and a positive self-image rather than solely emphasizing winning.