How To Prevent Sports-Related Injuries In Children

Posted on January 18, 2009 in Health & Safety by little mochi

Physical activity will always be part of a child’s life. Before a child even enters school, children are already engaged in unstructured play. As preschoolers, they are already introduced to the fun of sports through non-competitive athletic classes. At around 6 years of age, children may already be engaged in organized team sports.

There are many benefits that a child can get through sports. Aside from allowing kids to get much needed physical activity, it also allows children to be part of a team. Participating in sports can also be an opportunity for kids to start friendships, and to improve self-esteem.

Growth and development can vary for children. It is then important to consider, that children of the same age, may have a significant difference in height and weight. Children may also not perceive sports-related risks the way adults do. Thus, parents need to ensure that a child is involved in an activity appropriate for his skill level, as well as physical and emotional development.

It is crucial that children wear the right safety gear for a particular sport. In order for these to protect a child, it should also be the right size. More importantly, parents need to make sure that the gears have passed safety standards. To ensure its effectiveness, steps should also be taken to properly maintain these equipments.

Parents should also determine whether children are playing on safe areas. Some playing fields may be full of holes and ruts, which may lead to injuries. For children involved in high-impact sports, choosing surfaces like tracks or wooden floors may be safer, as compared to concrete surfaces.

Due to the risk of injuries, sports activities in children should be supervised by qualified adults. Choose the leagues or teams, which promote a child’s safety at all times. A team coach should also have training regarding first aid and CPR. More than winning games, a coach should be more focused at promoting good sportsmanship, and preventing injuries.

Before playing, proper preparation should also be done. Warm-ups are important because it prepares the body for the activity. A 15 to 30 minute warm up can help increase flexibility of the muscles and ligaments. Thus, parents need to let children know that warm-ups should be taken seriously.

To reduce the risk of injury, a child should also be knowledgeable about the rules of the game. Though training sessions and practices can help a child, it may be best if you reinforce his learning. Watch a game with your child, and point out the rules and safety precautions needed. Emphasize the need to take breaks to prevent overuse injuries. It is also important for a child to drink plenty of fluids at intervals, especially when the weather is hot.

There are organized sports teams, which require a physical exam before a child can participate. These are actually essential in determining, whether a child is physically fit to play the game. If your child has health concerns, reassure him that there are other activities, which he may also enjoy.

Children can really get a lot of benefits from sports, but proper guidance is still necessary to prevent injuries from occurring. Parents may also take the opportunity to teach life lessons in a young child. Helping a child deal with wins as well as defeats, may better prepare a child for the many challenges that life has in store for him.



Comments

Leave a Comment