Sports Injuries
Football, basketball, baseball, soccer, hockey, gymnastics, and volleyball are the top six sports that cause the most injuries in children. Although these activities help develop muscles and coordination, they can also result in injury, especially in children, whose bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments are still growing.
An estimated 3.5 million children’s fractures, dislocations, and soft-tissue injuries related to these recreation activities were treated at U.S. hospital emergency rooms, doctor’s offices, and clinics each year.
Basketball leads the list of most dangerous sport, with 574,000 injuries reported in 2001, followed closely by football, with 448,200 injuries. Children playing baseball received 252,665 injuries; those playing soccer included 227,100 injuries. Hockey, which many consider to be a violent sport, was fifth on the list, with 80,700 injuries, followed by gymnastics at 75,000, and volleyball at 50,100.
Other non-team sports can also lead to a considerable number of injuries. For example, biking causes a very high number of fractures, dislocations, strains/sprains, and abrasions; among children ages five to 14, there were 415,000 injuries a year to arms, legs, and trunk. Roller sports caused more than 297,000 injuries, and trampolines caused 135,000 injuries. Scooter-related injuries increase each year (including sprains and strains, cuts and bruises, fractures, and dislocations); more than 84,400 injuries were severe enough to go to the emergency room in 2001 for treatment.
Prevent Injuries
Coaches and parents can prevent injuries by promoting an atmosphere of healthy competition emphasizing self-reliance, confidence, cooperation, and a positive self-image, rather than just winning. Young athletes need proper training before participating in a sport; they should not expect the sport itself to get them into shape. Injuries can be prevented if children participate in a regular conditioning program designed by a coach. It is also important that parents make sure their child’s coaches are qualified to supervise a particular sport, provide well-maintained safety equipment, and help with proper conditioning.
Alarmingly, experts estimate that at least 500,000 young athletes use black-market anabolic steroids to improve their athletic performance. Although these types of steroids can increase muscle mass, they also cause serious and potentially life-threatening complications.
Children playing sports should follow these guidelines to reduce injuries:
An estimated 3.5 million children’s fractures, dislocations, and soft-tissue injuries related to these recreation activities were treated at U.S. hospital emergency rooms, doctor’s offices, and clinics each year.
Basketball leads the list of most dangerous sport, with 574,000 injuries reported in 2001, followed closely by football, with 448,200 injuries. Children playing baseball received 252,665 injuries; those playing soccer included 227,100 injuries. Hockey, which many consider to be a violent sport, was fifth on the list, with 80,700 injuries, followed by gymnastics at 75,000, and volleyball at 50,100.
Other non-team sports can also lead to a considerable number of injuries. For example, biking causes a very high number of fractures, dislocations, strains/sprains, and abrasions; among children ages five to 14, there were 415,000 injuries a year to arms, legs, and trunk. Roller sports caused more than 297,000 injuries, and trampolines caused 135,000 injuries. Scooter-related injuries increase each year (including sprains and strains, cuts and bruises, fractures, and dislocations); more than 84,400 injuries were severe enough to go to the emergency room in 2001 for treatment.
Prevent Injuries
Coaches and parents can prevent injuries by promoting an atmosphere of healthy competition emphasizing self-reliance, confidence, cooperation, and a positive self-image, rather than just winning. Young athletes need proper training before participating in a sport; they should not expect the sport itself to get them into shape. Injuries can be prevented if children participate in a regular conditioning program designed by a coach. It is also important that parents make sure their child’s coaches are qualified to supervise a particular sport, provide well-maintained safety equipment, and help with proper conditioning.
Alarmingly, experts estimate that at least 500,000 young athletes use black-market anabolic steroids to improve their athletic performance. Although these types of steroids can increase muscle mass, they also cause serious and potentially life-threatening complications.
Children playing sports should follow these guidelines to reduce injuries:
- Follow the rules of the sport.
- Wear appropriate protective gear (for example, shin guards for soccer, a hard-shell helmet when facing a baseball pitcher, a helmet for bike riding).
- Check equipment first and know how to use athletic equipment (breakaway bases have dramatically reduced leg injuries in children).
- Always warm up before playing.
- Avoid playing when very tired or in pain.
