For the Matthews family, Saturday is a hectic day. Sonya has a soccer game at 9 a.m., but it’s not over when Andrew’s basketball practice starts at 10:30. In the afternoon, Andrew plays soccer while Sonya works out with her lacrosse team.
Although the parents have a rough time keeping track of it all, the Matthews children are doing quite well. During a time when childhood obesity is rampant, they are fit and healthy. And they really have no time or energy for teenage acting out.
Young athletes reap many other benefits–making friends, learning teamwork and self discipline, understanding the intricacies of competition and cooperation, improved emotional health and self esteem.
They are, however, putting themselves at risk of sports injuries, some of which can cause long-term problems if not handled properly. More than 3.5 million children age 14 and under suffer sports injuries each year, according to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, most of them requiring treatment in an emergency room, clinic or doctor’s office.
Elementary age children are still developing coordination, but they are also smaller and don’t move as fast or as forcefully. As kids get older and gain strength, collisions become more of an issue.
Growth patterns vary, however, so grouping young athletes by age does not adequately take into account big differences in size, strength, coordination and skill. Many injuries occur when children who are small for their age try to keep up with their peers. Even at the same weight, a child with a great deal of body fat is no match for one with a greater proportion of muscle. Parents should look for organized programs that take these differences into account.
Children More Susceptible
An adult who participates in sports–and, unfortunately, many coaches–may fail to understand that children are more susceptible to injury than adults. Their bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons are still growing, and growth patterns are often uneven, leaving some tissue vulnerable to sprains and strains.
The bones of a child or adolescent contain growth plates, areas of cartilage where growth is taking place. These are relatively weak and particularly vulnerable to injury. Injuries to growth plates are potentially serious and should be treated by a pediatric specialist.
Whether in games or in practice, young athletes should be watched closely for signs of pain and fatigue. And coaches should be careful not to push young athletes into playing with injuries or over training.
Signs of overuse injuries include
• pain or swelling in the front of the knee, under the knee cap;
• pain or tenderness in the elbow, known as Little League elbow;
• inflammation in the shoulder caused by repetitive overhead motion such as throwing a ball or swimming;
• shin splints; and
• lower back pain, often seen in kids who play soccer, football, wrestling, gymnastics, diving or weight lifting.
Overuse injuries are common in adults as well, and the old adage of “working through it” nearly always results in a more serious injury. In a young person, these injuries are more serious because they can have an effect on bone growth.
In addition to excessive training, overuse injuries can be caused by improper technique, poorly selected or worn out athletic shoes, playing the same sport year round or playing multiple sports in the same season.
When overuse injuries do not respond promptly to RICE treatment (rest, ice, elevation, compression), the child should be examined by a doctor.
Coaches and parents should avoid pushing their child back into action too quickly after any kind of injury–whether it be a sprain, strain, fracture or overuse. Re-injury not only puts the child back on the inactive list but raises the chance that a new injury could occur as the body tries to compensate for the weakness. Any return to activity should be gradual allowing the muscles, tendons and ligaments a chance to adjust.
One very important precaution involves head and face injuries. If a child suffering such an injury experiences a headache, impaired vision, ringing in the ears or nausea, he or she may have suffered a concussion even if there was no loss of consciousness. The athlete should be cleared by a physician before returning to action.
You can help keep your kids safe by following some simple guidelines. Make sure your young athletes:
HAVE THE PROPER GEAR: Most sports require standard protective gear, and it’s important for parents and coaches to ensure that the right helmet, mouth guards, eye protection and pads are used. Make sure it’s the right helmet for the sport and that it fits snugly and comfortably.
HAVE PROPER PLAYING SURFACES: Playing surfaces should be well maintained. You don’t want stones on a baseball infield that can cause bad hops into the fielder’s face. Nor should there be holes or divots in a soccer field that could lead to a sprained ankle.
KNOW AND FOLLOW THE RULES: Many rules exist for the protection of the athletes. College basketball officials are strict about calling a flagrant foul when elbows are swung toward the face. Your child should know the rules of the sport and be instructed to follow them.
And, aside from the rules, it’s important to be courteous and protective of other players. Competition does not mean “destroying” the opposing team.
WARM UP before getting into vigorous activity and cools down afterward with proper stretches to maintain flexibility.
STAY COOL AND DRINK plenty of water. Children perspire less than adults, and sweating starts at a higher body temperature. Be wary of the signs of heat exhaustion (nausea, dizziness, weakness, headache, pale and moist skin, heavy sweating, weak pulse, disorientation) and of heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, and skin that is hot and dry).
Heat-related injuries are dangerous and often occur because of a deficit in body fluids. Be sure young athletes have access to water and sports drinks.
Keeping young athletes safe simply requires some common sense. Actually, injuries are not all that common and the benefits that kids get by participating in sports far outweigh the risks.
REFERENCES:
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons,”The young athlete,” last reviewed July, 2007.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, “A guide to safety for young athletes.”
“Five ways to avoid sports injuries,” KidsHealth, reviewed by Mary L. Gavin, M.D., October, 2011.
Robin McClure, “Kid safety sports checklist for parents helps to keep the game ball on safety,” About.com Child Care.
National Athletic Trainers’ Association, “Sports safety checklist.”
NIH, “Childhood sports injuries and their prevention: a guide for parents with ideas for kids,” July, 2009.
“Preventing children’s sports injuries,” KidsHealth, reviewed by Alfred Atanda, Jr., M.D., November, 2011.
“Sports safety for kids,” WebMD Medical Reference, reviewed by Daniel Brenna, M.D., October 10, 2011.
“Sports safety guide,” Safe Kids, U.S.A.
“Youth sports safety resources,” University of Michigan Health System, compiled by Kyla Boyse, R.N., reviewed by Amy Miller, M.D., updated August, 2009.
04/16/2013
For more information, sample newsletters or to get on our mailing list contact:
Community Relations
West River Regional Medical Center
1000 Highway 12
Hettinger, ND 58639-753