The University of Kentucky Public Relations and Strategic Communications Office offers a weekly health column available for use and reprint by news media. This week’s column is by Johanna M. Hoch, Ph.D., associate professor and program director of athletic training and clinical nutrition at the University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 12, 2022) — Participating in sports can be beneficial to children’s physical and mental health, as well as a large part of their social lives. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emergency departments in the United States treat nearly 3 million youth sports injuries each year, many of which are preventable with the use of proper safety precautions.
Here are some safety measures parents and coaches can take to reduce the risk of sports injuries.
Physical examination before participation (PPE). Before starting a sport or a new season, make sure your child has a PPE performed by a doctor, nurse or other qualified healthcare professional to ensure they are healthy enough to participate safely.
Hydrate and eat balanced meals. Be sure to bring a water bottle to all practices and games, and encourage your child to drink water 30 minutes before and every 15-20 minutes. minute while playing a sport to limit the risk of heat illness and dehydration. To ensure they eat healthy meals, review the school lunch menu to encourage choosing foods that provide the most balance and energy for the day. Also consider packing your child a nutritious snack before the game if there is limited time between school and practice.
Stretching. Encouraging children to set aside time before each practice or game to warm up and stretch can help release muscle tension and prevent muscle tears or strains commonly caused by sports. Athletes should start with 10 minutes of light activity, such as jogging, and stretch all major muscle groups before each practice or match.
Proper safety equipment. Make sure your child has the right protective gear and equipment for any sport. Some examples may include helmets, wrist guards, shin guards, and knee or elbow guards. Some sports may require a mouth guard to prevent tooth damage as well. Consult with your team’s coach to ensure all equipment is in good condition, fits properly and is worn correctly for each practice or game.
Listen to your body. It is important to teach children to understand the signs and symptoms of common sports injuries or illnesses. Encourage children to tell a parent, coach or other trusted adult when something doesn’t feel right. There’s nothing wrong with taking a break when needed to prevent a worsening injury or illness, and taking at least one rest day a week can help prevent injury.
Make sure coaches are prepared. If the child’s school does not have an athletic coach, it is important that coaches and other adults who support practices and events are certified in first aid and CPR, and that a first aid kit is provided. They should also be aware of signs of acute conditions that require immediate referral and have an emergency action plan that ensures effective and efficient transport to medical care if needed. Coaches should encourage players to sit out if injured, seek a medical evaluation and take proper hydration breaks to ensure safety throughout practice.
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How to prevent sports injuries in kids?
5 ways to avoid sports injuries To see also : York Cardinals swimmer Paulana Lamonier ’14 featured in People Magazine, Sports Illustrated.
- Use protective equipment, such as helmets, protective pads and other equipment.
- Heat and cool.
- Know the rules of the game.
- Watch out for others.
- Don’t play when you’re injured.
How can children avoid most injuries? Children can avoid most injuries by: doing activities for which they are physically prepared and strong enough. do activities that use your own body weight in short bursts – such as monkey bars or jumping jacks. wear appropriate protective equipment – for example, helmets, shin guards or mouth guards.
What is the fear of getting hurt called?
traumatophobia Add to list Share. On the same subject : Richard Martin joins the sports information staff. If you avoid playing sports because you are deathly afraid of hurting yourself, you may suffer from traumatophobia, or the fear of being physically hurt.
What is Agliophobia? Noun. agliophobia (uncountable) (rare) A fear of emotional and physical pain.
What is Dystychiphobia?
Dystychiphobia is a fear of accidents. To see also : Sooner Jr. Kids Club Youth Sports Day Set for September 3 – University of Oklahoma. With this specific phobia, you may feel anxious when you think of or see a place where you fear an accident might happen.
Why is injury prevention important in sports?
Injury prevention should be an important part of any physical activity because it not only helps you reach your fitness goals, but also keeps you healthy and safe. Performing complex math without adequate preparation can damage your brain; Running a marathon without adequate preparation can damage your body.
What is sports injury prevention? Sports injury prevention programs can reduce the number of injuries as well as the severity and extent of injuries. The three areas where injury prevention in sport is focused on are: training strategies. changes to the sports rules and changes in guidelines. equipment recommendations.
What is the importance of knowing the 3 pillars of injury prevention in sports?
It gives the athletes time to safely build up to the right level of fitness to perform at their best when the time comes. For some, it is surprising that psychological and psychosocial factors also play a role in injury prevention.
How does injury prevention improve performance?
Injury prevention exercises help to build strength and body control so that the athlete is able to maintain the repeated loads and avoid extraneous or deviant movements that lead to injuries.
