Conditions & Treatments
- A to Z Guide

Sports injury prevention

Disease Information

Overview

When playing sports, it’s important that your child take proper precautions to keep from getting injured.

Most common causes of sports injuries

Knowing the cause of most sports injuries is the first step to preventing injury. Here’s a list of high-risk situations to avoid:

faulty or ill-fitting safety gear and equipment, such as helmets and pads
inappropriate shoes for the sport
inappropriate skill, weight and/or physical and psychological maturity level for the sport
lack of adult supervision
lack of appropriate hydration
unsafe playing environment
lack of enforced sports rules
too high or low temperatures
lack of shock-absorbing playing surface
doing activities (such as bike riding) too close to motor vehicles
lack of proper maintenance of equipment
lack of proper medical evaluation prior to participation in organized sports
sudden, dramatically-increased activity levels (doing too much too soon)
inadequate rehabilitation of injuries before continuing to participate in a sport

Common sports injuries include:

Safety gear and equipment

Safety gear should be sport-specific and may include such items such as goggles, mouth guards, helmets and shin, elbow and knee pads. The safety gear worn by a child should fit properly.

Sports equipment (such as bats, baskets and goals) should be in good working condition. The playing area should be free from debris and water.

Physical checkup

To make sure your child is physically fit enough to participate in a particular sport, your child's physician can conduct a "sports physical." These exams can reveal your child's physical strengths and weaknesses, and help determine which sports are most appropriate for her.

Most sports physicals include an examination that measures height, weight and vital signs, as well as an evaluation of the eyes, nose, ears, chest and abdomen. Your child's physician may also perform an orthopedic examination to her check joints, bones and muscles.

Age

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children begin participating in team sports no earlier than age 6, when they are more likely to understand the concept of teamwork. However, no two children are alike, and some may not be ready physically or psychologically to take part in a team sport at age 6.

Hydration

Sweating is a natural effect of exercising, and to avoid dehydration, your child needs to replace the water lost with equal amounts of fluids. On average, for each hour of intense sports activity, your child will need to drink one to one and a half liters of water.

It’s best if your child drinks fluids before, during and after each practice or game. To avoid stomach cramps, encourage your child to drink about one cup of water every 15 to 20 minutes. Have them avoid carbonated and caffeinated beverages.

The most common symptoms of dehydration include:

thirstiness
weakness
headache
dark-colored urine
slight weight loss

Sports-related stress

The pressure to win when participating in sports, a poor relationship with a coach or frustration about never getting to play in games can affect a child negatively.

Signs that your child may be suffering from stress related to a sport may include: