Young people of all ages are more involved in sports than ever before. More than three million sports injuries to children under the age of 15 require medical treatment in the United States each year. These affect both genders through a wide range of sports that are both individual and team sports. Children are intrinsically more vulnerable to injury because they are still growing and developing. Bones and soft tissues are not completely developed and still growing. Growth plates at the ends of bone where it is still lengthening and growing are particularly vulnerable to injury. Young athletes of the same age are not all the same. There can be vast differences in size, coordination, maturity, and weight. These discrepancies can be particularly dangerous in high impact sports where low speed collisions occur regularly such as football, soccer, and hockey.
Although the bodies of young athletes are different in size and tolerance to injury from their adult counterparts, they are subject to some similarities in types of injuries. Injuries can be acute from a sudden one time impact or violent episode. They are also susceptible to chronic repetitive injuries of overuse that occur over a prolonged period. Injuries to young athletes need greater care for the subtle signs and symptoms that seem like a simple bruise can easily be an occult fracture or injury of greater severity. Younger developing bodies simply are not as durable as an adult in the same situation. This is equally true in contact sports or considering stamina to withstand chronic repetitive overuse. Proper coaching, equipment, and teaching best practices can all go a long way to decrease risk of injury. Aggressive play with an emphasis on winning while ignoring sportsmanship or proper technique is a recipe for disaster.
Communication with the young athlete is critically important. Maturity may interfere with the athlete's ability to articulate pain. Permanent injuries are at stake so ignoring complaints or a change in performance must be avoided. It can take more time to ascertain the significance of a child's injury. Knowing the risks of a young developing body that has yet to reach its full potential for strength and durability, a responsible adult must exercise a great deal of patience and restraint. Never encourage your young athlete to "play with pain".
Initial first aid for injuries relies on the fundamental rest, ice, compression and elevation. Consulting a medical professional familiar with sports injuries in young adults should be sooner rather than later. Early diagnosis and management of an otherwise confusing situation can make a big difference in facilitating recovery and preventing more severe complications. Working together with your health care provider to formulate a plan for rest and transitional activity, can insure a rapid recovery and help prevent future injury. A common mistake in young athletes is improper conditioning for their activity. Lack of maturity creates some impatience in these important fundamentals. Nonetheless, the parents and coaches should be instrumental in educating young athletes in proper training to prepare them for their sport. This must include conditioning, some strength training as well as attention to good technique and understanding how to play the game well. Knowing the rules and use of proper protective equipment is also mission-critical.
Young athletes can learn a great deal about themselves, working together with others, discipline and many valuable life lessons from sports. It is also supposed to be fun. As responsible adults who are parents, coaches or active sports fans we all need to be teachers in order for our young athletes to stay safe. Help them learn how to be successful, happy, healthy adults. Keep it fun and safe!
