Youth Sports and Injury

What EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUTH SPORTS and Letting your kids play sports isn't just a matter of dropping them off at the field. INJURY It's important to consider safety issues; the potential for injury (! is not a matter to overlook. Each year, more than 2.6 million under the age of 19 receive emergency department treatment for recreation and sports related injuries. [1) young people > Some common youth injuries due to sports: While playing a sport, there's a risk that young athletes could experience severe health problems. [2] Heat illness Concussions These considerations have led to a need for better sports health care for youth. According to a recent survey of parents, here's a breakdown of the type of injuries they stated their children have suffered: (8) 14% Concussion/head injury 15%O Broken bone 20% O Overuse/stress injury 20% Dehydration 35% Sprain/strain/pulled muscle or ligament 50% Bruises 57% O Cut/scrape 60% O Child has never suffered any of these COMMON INJURIES (B1 + REPETITIVE + STRAINS MOTION INJURIES Muscle/tendon injury A result of overusing tendons/muscles. + SPRAINS 5 Injuries include stress fractures and tendinitis. Ligament injury + GROWTH PLATE INJURIES Injured areas of developing tissues on the ends of long bones. Growth Plate > This type of injury can only occur in children and adolescents when the growth plate is not yet solid bone. + HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES Includes dehydration, heat stroke, and heat exhaustion. > These illnesses are potentially fatal and particularly problematic for children, partly because they perspire less than adults do. LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES Some injuries can end up posing greater problems as time goes on. If someone suffers from a repeat concussion, there can be serious consequences. This could be A REPEAT CONCUSSION is a second within HOURS, DAYS, or even concussion that occurs before the brain has recovered from a first concussion. [4) WEEKS. + It could slow down the recovery process or even lead to worse outcomes: Brain swelling Permanent brain damage Even ACL Tears can lead to more problems than you might assume: + It's possible that ACL injuries in kids are increasing in frequency across the U.S. [5] + At the Children's Hospital of - Philadelphia, ACL tears in patients under 18 years old increased by 400% from a decade ago. 70% of young athletes' ACL injuries will lead to an early onset of osteoarthritis. (6) Almost STEERING CLEAR OF INJURY To help kids avoid getting injured while playing sports, here are some tips to enhance their safety: 171 Make sure athletes cool down after playing. V Persuade athletes to take at least one season off. SIf they play all year, they're more likely to suffer from overuse injuries. S This allows their heart rates to return to a resting level. V Highly suggest physical exams before sports. S This allows the prevention and treatment of any conditions. V Have an equipment check every week. S This will help ensure equipment is in good shape and fits well. They should be taking water breaks every half hour. > They may need more depending on the temperature and the amount of activity. Athletes also need to STAY HYDRATED. It's important for both parents and coaches to pay attention to prevention and treatment of sports injuries. WHO DO KIDS DEPEND ON TO KEEP THEM SAFE WHILE PLAYING YOUTH SPORTS?[8] Coaching Our Kids to Fewer Injuries: A Report on Youth Sports Safety, Johnson & Johnson, April 2012 Ages 8-14 Ages 15-18 D My coaches My parents Other players on my team Other adults My brothers or sisters 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 90% However 3 out of 5 parents don't know the extent of training of parents say they rely a lot on coaches to keep their children safe. [8] their child's coaches have received in sports injury prevention. CONCLUSION MANY CHILDREN AND TEENS PLAY SPORTS AND SHOULD ALWAYS TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID INJURY. PARENTS AND COACHES SHOULD ALSO TAKE THE PREVENTION OF INJURY VERY SERIOUSLY. Brought to you by: SOURCES Ttotalinjury- [1] http://www.cdc.gov/safechild/Sports_Injuries/index.html [2] www.nata.org/sites/default/files/Legislative-release-final-3-30-11.doc [3] http://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/sports_injuries/child_sports_injuries.asp [4] http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/pdf/coaches_Engl.pdf [5] http://abcnews.go.com/Health/w_DietAndFitness/tom-brady-sheds-light-rise-acl-tears-children/story? id=14956742#.UBB596TUMFW [6] http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2006/hmacl.htm (7] http://www.stopsportsinjuries.org/files/pdf/CoachesTeachingKids.pdf [8] http://www.safekids.org/assets/docs/safety-basics/sports/2012-sports.pdf