With a surge in recent research, media reports and even Hollywood films focusing on the dangers of playing football, most people are aware of the risks involved in hitting the gridiron.
Steps have been taken, especially at the youth sports level, to educate players, parents and coaches and boost the safety of the game to cut down on the likelihood of concussions and other common football-related injuries.
Safe Kids Worldwide — a global non-profit working to prevent childhood injury — reported in a 2015 publication that more than 2.6 million children ages 19 and younger are seen in hospital emergency departments each year for injuries related to sports and recreation. But those 2.6 million injuries don’t all come back to football; the data includes injuries from other sports, as well as activities like riding a scooter, jumping on a trampoline and playing on a playground.
According to a report by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the most common types of sport-related injuries among children are sprains, strains, bone or growth plate injuries, repetitive motion injuries and heat-related illness.
Many of these injuries can be prevented with simple steps, but Safe Kids Worldwide said not everyone is taking the proper precautions. A 2014 survey report from the organization found 31 percent of parents, 28 percent of athletes and 23 percent of coaches said they don’t do anything to prevent injuries.
With the final term of the school year starting, student-athletes will soon begin practicing and competing on spring sports teams. So what can players, coaches and parents do to keep student-athletes safe on the field?
Here’s a look at the various spring sports offered at Indianapolis Public Schools, the risks associated with each and tips for parents and student-athletes for preventing injury.
Baseball/Softball
Baseball and softball have the most injuries of any spring sports (based on 2013 data), with 106,100 and 53,300 injuries reported among youth ages 19 and younger.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), baseball and softball injuries are common because of the high number of participants in the sports.
AAP says injuries commonly seen in baseball and softball are shoulder and elbow injuries resulting from overuse; ankle injuries due to uneven playing fields or sliding into bases; eye injuries from contact with the ball, bat or fingers; heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion or heat stroke; and “commotio cordis,” which is sudden death from a baseball impacting the chest.
Golf
Though commonly considered a leisurely activity, competitive golf can cause injuries because of long hours of practice.
AAP says most golf injuries are the result of swinging the club or walking the several miles across the golf course, and golf-related injuries usually develop over time instead of as a result of one incident.
Injuries that can be seen in frequent golfers include low back pain from repetitive bending and twisting of the spine; wrist pain, strains and sprains due to repetitive and forceful movements used in swinging the club; and painful knee injuries, including a torn meniscus (from repetitive squatting, twisting and walking on uneven surfaces) and patellofemoral pain syndrome (caused by compression and fraction on the cartilage behind the kneecap).
Track and field
In 2013, almost 24,000 track-and-field-related injuries were reported among youth ages 19 and younger, according to Safe Kids Worldwide.
AAP says most injuries in track and field are due to improper training, mechanical problems (such as having high feet arches) or environment.
Common track-and-field injuries include blisters and overuse injuries like shin splints, stress fractures of the lower leg or foot, tendonitis of the knee or ankle, Severe’s disease (heel pain caused by growth plate inflammation) or plantar fasciitis.
Tennis
Among youth ages 19 and younger, 5,700 tennis-related injuries were reported in 2013.
According to AAP, it’s imperative for tennis players to select racquets that have appropriate head size, handgrip size and string tension.
Injuries commonly seen in tennis players are shoulder injuries from too much serving or overhead hitting; irritation of elbow growth plates; wrist pain and lost range of motion; spondylolysis, stress fractures of the lower spine that cause low back pain; and hip and groin injuries, like muscle injuries or avulsion fractures, from quick side-to-side movements.
How to prevent sports-related injuries
Have a sports physical. Many school athletic departments require a sports physical as a condition of participation for all student-athletes, but even if it’s not mandatory, it’s a good idea to screen for overall wellness and underlying conditions before beginning a sport.
Use proper equipment. Using the wrong equipment can exacerbate overuse injuries: shoes that don’t fit properly, a racquet/club/bat that isn’t the right size, etc. Safety equipment like pads, helmets and eye protection should be in good condition, too.
Watch the weather. Especially in the spring, the weather can fluctuate dramatically, and spring sports are played outdoors. Track the forecast to make sure your student-athlete is dressed appropriately for the temperatures, and always send along sunscreen (even if it’s cloudy). Never let your athlete take the field if you see lightning.
Encourage fair play and rule enforcement.
Hydrate and eat well. Encourage your student-athlete to pack healthy snacks and drink water throughout the school day, and don’t let your kid skip lunch.
Train appropriately. Don’t let student-athletes overdo it; on days when the team isn’t practicing or competing, make sure your child gets some rest so their body can heal.
Listen. For athletes, pay attention to what your body is telling you, and resist the urge to ignore seemingly minor injuries; something small can quickly become a big deal. For coaches and parents, watch for signs of injury, and resist the urge to encourage the athlete to work through the pain. If they’re trying to tell you about how they feel, pay attention.
For more information on sports safety from the American Academy of Pediatrics, visit healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/sports.
