Young Bloods: The Truth about High School Sports

YOUNG BLOODS * In 1972, 4 million teenagers participated in high school sports. Nearly 40 years later, the number's at more than 7 million. But with less than 50 percent of high schools having access to an athletic trainer, Americans are wondering about the safety of high school sports. BOYS VS. GIRLS WHO'S GETTING INJURED? No high school sport is safe from injuries. In fact, high school athletes suffer 2 million injuries each year. But which gender is racking up more sports injuries: boys or girls? TOTAL ESTIMATED INJURIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS, ACCORDING TO THE CENTER FOR INJURY RESEARCH AND POLICY B=BOYS' G=GIRLS' 100,000 200,000 300,000 400,000 500,000 FOOTBALL (B) 483,016 SOCCER (G) 180,254 SOCCER (B) 138,974 BASKETBALL (G) 83,033 WRESTLING (B) 80,569 GO! BASKETBALL (B) 79,762 SOFTBALL (G) 52,700 VOLLEYBALL (G) 50,711 BASEBALL (B) 46,796 Although cheerleading wasn't tracked in CIRP's report, cheerleading is considered the most dangerous sport for girls. It's responsible for 65 percent of all catastrophic injuries in high school female athletics. High school female basketball players sustain 240 percent more concussions than male basketball players. Female high school athletes who play basketball and soccer are typically out longer with an injury than their male counterparts. Boys' baseball injuries, however, are significantly worse than those in girls' softball. THE INJURIES: HOW BAD ARE THEY? As of 2011, 8.2 percent of high school sports injuries require surgery. This is a jump from 5.3 percent in 2006. However, high school sports across the board have a lower injury rate than they did in 6 years ago. The injuries aren't happening as often, but they're getting worse. 2006 2011 00000 ●• 5.3% Vs 8.2% 0000 MOST COMMON HIGH SCHOOL INJURIES ANKLE STRAINS & SPRAINS CONCUSSIONS KNEE STRAINS & SPRAINS HIP/THIGH STRAINS & SPRAINS OTHER KNEE INJURIES WHAT INJURIES НАРРEN WHEN? COMPETITION PRACTICE O% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 40% STRAINS & SPRAINS 48% 25% CONCUSSIONS 13% 12% CONTUSIONS 10% 10% FRACTURES | 13× OTHER INJURIES 23% Athletes in high school are injured 3 times more than college athletes. High school athletes are responsible for nearly 500,000 doctor visits and 30,000 hospitalizations each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A recent study divided up high school injury time loss into periods of 1-2 days, 3-6 days, 7-9 days, 10-21 days, and more than 3 weeks. In 2006, most high school sports injuries required 3-6 days of recovery. In 2011, the usual recovery time surged to more than 3 weeks. HIGH SCHOOL INJURY TIME LSS 1-2 DAYS 3-6 DAYS 7-9 DAYS 10-21 DAYS 3+ WEEKS It seems that cheerleading is the most dangerous sport for girls and football is responsible for the most injuries with boys. But, as time loss for injuries grows longer, parents and coaches are pushing for better safety precautions. SOURCES INJURYRESEARCH.NET BUSINESSWEEK.COM USATODAY.COM KINESIOLOGY THERAPEUTIC TAPE MSN.COM