22 Jan Sports Injuries
For school-age children and adults alike, sports provide an outlet for exercise, socialization, and teamwork. Playing sports is a great way for kids to get the exercise that America’s children desperately need, but this also puts them at a high risk for injury. Around 46.5 million kids play sports in America, and of those children, 1 in 3 are injured seriously enough to miss practice or games.
The most common injuries related to sports include sprains, strains, knee-related injuries, repetitive motion injuries, and dislocation. Concussions are also a common injury for many young athletes. So, as a parent or coach, how can you help prevent these injuries in your children or student athletes? We have some tips.
-Always get a preparation physical exam before any physical activity begins.
-Before the season starts, have the young athletes start training their bodies. Try having them run a few times a week or join a CrossFitKids class in town. This way their bodies will be ready for the physical demands of playing a sport.
-Always warm up and stretch before practice and games.
-Wear properly fitted sports gear.
-Rest to avoid overuse injuries. Always take one or two days off from the sport each week.
-Encourage the athlete to communicate when they experience pain. Diagnosing injuries sooner can shorten recovery time.
-Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Remind the players that dehydration is an injury as well.
-Know the signs of a concussion.
-If an injury does happen, treat it properly. RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevate) is a good method when the injury occurs. Also, consult your physician or physical therapist when you believe an injury has occurred.
We hope these tips will keep your kiddos safe during the upcoming seasons of basketball, baseball, and softball. Good luck to the young athletes! If you have any questions, please contact Cory at 662-282-4949.
No Comments