Health Risks On Student Athletes

Some 7,258 high school students across America were injured during the 2009-10 school year while participating in organized sports, according to the Center for Injury Research and Policy. While athletics can help children and teens stay healthy, there are also risks involved. Injury and illness are real possibilities for all student athletes, but safety guidelines and preventative measures can help keep kids safe and healthy while participating in sports.

Nutrition

Student athletes have a dual purpose in eating. They need adequate nutrition from a wide variety of foods for normal growth and to provide energy for athletic performance. When kids don't eat enough of the right foods or get enough calories, their growth is often compromised. Muscles can break down and bones can weaken without proper nutrition. Teenagers participating in sports generally need to eat from 2,000 to 5,000 calories every day for maximum efficiency and performance. Teen athletes tend to need more calcium and iron than nonathletes. Athletes run the danger of becoming dehydrated if enough water isn't consumed before, during and after exercise.

Concussion

Student athletes are often just as intense in their athletic performance as their adult counterparts. Head injuries in sports such as soccer, football and basketball are common and sometimes lead to concussions. Concussions interfere with brain functioning and are second on a list maintained by the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the most common injuries that kids suffer in sports. If a concussion is suspected in a child or teen participating in a sport, immediately stop playing and get to a doctor.

Weather Related Risks

Many sports are played outdoors and the weather can seriously affect the health of student athletes. During the summer, intense activity in high temperatures can cause heat related illnesses, such as dehydration and heatstroke. The consequences of heatstroke include failing organs and death. For kids that participate in outdoor winter sports, such as skiing and snowboarding, the health risks include head injuries, hypothermia and frostbite. Broken bones are common injuries among winter athletes.

Tips

Half of the sports-related injuries that kids receive can be prevented with good preparation. Kids need to be physically fit enough to participate in sports and should spend plenty of time on training and general conditioning for fitness, even in the off-season. Keep lots of water easily accessible to student athletes. Require that all safety gear is worn. Take any hint of injury or illness seriously and seek medical attention to prevent a small problem from becoming life-threatening.