Common sense can help prevent children’s sports injuries
(SPM Wire)

Participating in sports is a great way for kids to get exercise, challenge themselves and learn to interact with others. And while many parents worry about their children getting injured while playing sports, some common sense can go a long way to helping keep them safe.

More than 30 million kids participate in organized sports in the United States. The fact is that nearly 775,000 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms for sports-related injuries each year, according to the National SAFE KIDS Campaign.

That’s why the Nemours Children’s Clinic is advising parents that knowing the causes, prevention, and treatment of sports injuries can help make athletic participation a positive, injuryfree experience for their children.

“Participation in any sport, whether it’s recreational bike riding or peewee football, teaches children to stretch their limits and helps them learn the value of sportsmanship and discipline,” said Robert Stanton, MD, pediatric orthopedist with Nemours Children’s Clinic. “However, any sport, organized or not, carries the risk of injury.”

Nemours is offering some simple advice to help prevent sports-related injuries, including the following tips:

* Inspect, maintain, and help your child use the right equipment for the sport. Make certain that the correct equipment is being used and fits properly based on your child’s height and weight.

* Inspect and maintain the appropriateness of playing surfaces. Check playing fields for holes and ruts, that could cause your child to fall. Basketball and running tracks should not be concrete.

* Do your homework. Make sure the club, team, or league your child is playing for is committed to safety and sportsmanship. Qualified adults should supervise any team sport or activity that your child participates in, and the team coach should have training in first aid and CPR. A healthy coaching environment includes a coaching staff that promotes a player’s well-being and not one that may encourage children to play through injury.

* Prepare your child for his or her chosen sport. Make sure your child knows how to play the sport before heading out on the field. Your child should prepare for games and practices with adequate warm-ups and training sessions.

“Proper preparation will lend a hand to ensure that your child has lots of fun on the playing field - without injury,” says Dr. Stanton. “Remember to encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids and rest before, during, and after practice or a game - these strategies will help athletes excel in their sports endeavors.”

Despite your best efforts to prevent injury, your child may get hurt while playing sports. If your child is injured, remain calm and ensure that he or she gets the immediate medical attention necessary.

To help you better prepare yourself, Nemours has posted several articles online at www.nemours.org relating to sport injury prevention. For more doctor-approved health information for kids, visit www.kidshealth.org.