10 Tips for Preventing Youth Sports Injuries

Young athletes today, inspired by their favorite professional athletes, are pushing themselves harder than ever before. While this is fun for parents to watch, an increase in athleticism brings a greater risk of experiencing sports-related injuries. At Pediatric Urgent Care, we prefer to see your athlete out on the field rather than sitting on the sidelines. To make sure your athlete can keep doing what he/she loves, follow these guidelines for preventing sports injuries:

Tips for Preventing Sports Injuries

1. Open Communication with Your Young Athlete

One of the most effective ways to prevent short-term and long-term injuries is communication. Make sure your athlete understands that he or she should let you know immediately if experiencing pain or something that just doesn’t feel “right.” Kids these days are tough and are happy to push through the pain if it means getting to play; however, this can lead to a more serious condition down the road that could have easily been prevented with early intervention. Remember, communication is key!

2. Preseason Physical Examinations

A physical is a great way to determine if your athlete is fit to play. Your physician can assess any areas of concern for athletes before they start a season, keeping them from further injuring themselves during play. During your physical, the doctor or youth dietician can help you and your kiddo plan a well-balanced diet, which will help them stay strong and avoid sports injuries.

3. Emphasizing Proper Warm-up Techniques

Stretching is a vital part of preventing sports injuries. Young athletes need to develop good habits before starting an activity or sport. We suggest a mix of both static and dynamic stretching during warmups to help wake up and loosen the muscles and prepare them for activity. Toe touches and stretches where you hold the position for a certain amount of time are considered static while jumping jacks and leg swings are considered dynamic. If you need help putting together an effective warm-up plan, don’t hesitate to ask us or your coaches.

4. The Necessity of Adequate Rest

Athletes of ALL ages and levels need to rest between practices, games, and events! A lack of sleep and muscle fatigue are huge factors that can lead to sports injuries. The most common injuries in youth athletes are overuse injuries, which are usually a result of too much activity and not enough rest. Parents of young athletes should encourage rest during the season and plan an “offseason” allowing for adequate time to recuperate.

5. Maintaining a Healthy, Balanced Diet

There’s no question how important it is for all athletes to eat a well-balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. It’s helpful to encourage a regular eating schedule, eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner around the same time each day. Additionally, in sports like wrestling where an athlete’s weight is a big deal, parents must make sure their athletes are following safe eating habits.

6. Staying Hydrated

Especially in the summer, heat-related illness is a major concern for all athletes. Parents should make sure their children (and the entire team) have enough water before, during, and after play. Along with a well-balanced diet, staying hydrated helps prevent fatigue and subsequently injuries. If you do notice signs of heat-related illness such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, confusion or fainting bring your child into PUCNC immediately.

7. Using Proper Sports Equipment

Protective equipment is not just for the show! Items such as helmets, pads, and cleats are essential for sports injury prevention. Parents should consider talking with coaches before the season starts so they have enough time to outfit their child before the season starts properly. Remember, proper equipment is important for recreational activities as well, such as riding a bike, rollerblading, or skateboarding.

8. Teaching Correct Sports Techniques

In every sport, there is a correct and wrong way of doing things – the correct way usually is designed to avoid injuries. For example, young football players should be taught the proper way to tackle an opponent to avoid concussions and young baseball players should be taught the proper way to throw to avoid shoulder injuries. The most important thing to remember is that it only takes one time to do something the wrong way for an injury to occur.

9. Early Injury Recognition and Intervention

We’ve seen several young athletes who have fairly serious injuries and didn’t do anything about them, allowing the damage to progress. The best advice we can give is to see a doctor early to help prevent long-term damage and to make sure your young athlete can keep playing for as long as possible. If you notice a change in your athlete’s technique such as a limp, address the situation immediately. Even young athletes know to alter the way they do things when in pain, but this always leads to more serious injuries. Always err on the side of caution and seek an assessment for your athlete before returning to the game.

10. Understanding When to Consult a Doctor for Sports Injuries

Don’t know when to bring your child to the doctor for an injury? Look for these symptoms and always consult your doctor if you are unsure:

  • Consistent pain during or after sports
  • Persistent or new pain or swelling around a joint
  • Recurrent instability – joints “give out”
  • Painful pops (usually non-painful pops are OK)
  • Pain that does not respond to a period of rest
  • Broken Bones
  • Affected Range of Motion

If an emergency does occur, Pediatric Urgent Care of Northern Colorado is available for you and your young athlete.