How To Avoid Sports Injury In Children

Many of my friends, myself included have a child or children in a sport or activity that can possibly gain an injury. So I thought it would be a great idea to make a post on how to avoid some injuries while our littles are playing sports.

More and more young children are suffering from sports injuries. Their body is in full development and therefore more susceptible to injury. Here are some tips to prevent the problem. Aside from using good footwear, protective gear and using children’s ice packs, you can really make a big difference.

COMMON INJURIES IN CHILDREN
Three types of sports injuries can occur:

1. Traumatic injuries happen suddenly and are the result of an accident. A fall, a collision with another child or a hard bullet that hits the body. The injuries are often not serious (bruises or sprains), but can also be more serious. Examples include fractures, ligament tears or even concussions.

2. Excessive strain is caused by repeating the same movements frequently, so that some bones, tendons and muscles are put under heavy strain. These problems can disrupt bone growth in children. The knee, elbow, ankle, and Achilles tendon, among others, are susceptible to excessive strain.

3. Recurrent injuries occur when a child does not get enough rest after a previous injury. If the body does not have enough time to recover, there is a good chance that the injury will recur. Other problems can also arise: in order not to strain on an injury that has not yet healed, children sometimes put more pressure on another part of the body, which can lead to a second injury.

At the start of the school year, many sports clubs organize introductory moments. Choose a few with your child so they can find out how training goes and which sport is right for them. At the same time, you can carry out certain checks yourself: are the grounds well maintained? Is the pleasure of playing a priority? Is there always a coach present? Should children warm up before training? These are all factors you should be aware of. Your intuition should also guide you.

Ensure the quality of the material
Sturdy running shoes for athletics or a helmet and knee pads for skating: healthy and safe sports practice begins with wearing the right equipment. If necessary, seek advice from the coach or sports manager.

Avoid excessive stress
Any excess is harmful, even in children. So make sure that your child does not exercise too many hours per week. An 8-year-old who trains 16 hours a week, for example, has excessive practice. In addition, having the correct technique is essential to avoid sports injuries. By enrolling your child in sports clubs with qualified trainers, you will be sure that they will learn the right gestures. If they are passionate about sports, then they may want to play more than other kids, but their health must always come first. Otherwise their dreams may be short lived. So pushing a child pass the limit is not good for them at all.

Pleasure above all
It is important not to force a child to play sports, let alone too many sports. The World Health Organization recommends moderate to intensive physical exercise for at least an hour a day. Sport must remain a pleasure. This way, children will stay motivated to move! So don’t be a stage mom and let your kid relax. They should be enjoying the activity not dreading it.

Always Remember You’re Beautiful!

-Lola