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| Lyle Micheli, MD |
Youth soccer is extremely popular for a variety of reasons: the simplicity of the rules, the relative affordability of equipment and uniforms, and its appeal because everyone on the team gets into the action. Additionally, millions of parents have supported and encouraged their children's participation because of soccer's reputation as a "safe" sport. Injury rates in soccer players under 14 years old are very low, although as participants get older injury rates increase, probably due to the increasing size, speed and intensity of the players.
Still, adolescent and adult soccer players get injured much less often than football players, for example (one study showed that 30 percent of high school soccer players got injured, compared to 85 percent on the football gridiron). To best prevent soccer injuries, make sure your child has a qualified coach, gets a proper pre-season sports physical, and uses proper equipment, especially suitable footwear.
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The most effective way to prevent sports injuries is to make sure your child is coached by a qualified person, preferably someone who is certified by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). The NSCAA offers certification at different levels, even for coaches working with players 5 to 12 years old. At the very least, your child's coach should have some training in first aid and CPR and should have an emergency plan in case of a serious injury.
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Every child should have a sports-specific pre-season physical, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The emphasis should be on quality, not quantity - once a year is enough if the physical is done properly.
A correctly done pre-season physical should detect conditions that might predispose your child to injury in soccer-anatomical abnormalities such as flat feet or knock knees, or lack of strength and flexibility in the low back or hamstrings. Ideally, your primary care physician should do the pre-sports physical. If she has no experience in this area (which is becoming increasingly rare as more and more primary care physicians are getting certified in sports medicine), then have the physical done by a sports doctor who has had some training by either the American College of Sports Medicine or the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.
If someone other than your family doctor performs the physical, send the report to your doctor so she is aware of any potential problems and has all applicable information in your child's records. The pre-season physical should ideally be performed once a year, and three or four months before the season begins. This allows the physician to evaluate and correct any specific problems.
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Cleats - Make sure your child plays in a good pair of soccer cleats. Old, worn-out cleats are associated with certain injuries, especially if there is any wearing down in the back cleats of the shoes. Molded rubber 13-cleat shoes are fine for most natural grass surfaces in the United States, but if your climate is very wet or the turf where your child plays soccer is especially thick and lush, screw-in six-cleat shoes may provide better traction.
Shin guards are a must and protect against both serious injuries to the bones of the lower leg and minor but painful bruises in this area.
At present, mouthguards are optional for soccer players, though they would help prevent the small number of concussions and dental injuries seen in soccer. However, because mouthguards interfere with verbal communication, it's unlikely they will ever be widely adopted in this sport where players constantly talk to one another during the course of play.
Finally, buy a soccer ball for your child's use in the backyard or park that is size-appropriate for his or her age.
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Adapted from The Sports Medicine Bible for Young Athletes by Lyle J. Micheli, M.D., Sports Medicine Director, Children's Hospital Boston, with Mark Jenkins (Sourcebooks, Inc., 2001).
Please keep in mind that the text provided is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment.
Children's Hospital Boston�, 2005. This page may be reproduced for educational purposes. Reprint permission is required for all other uses.
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