Preventing sport injuries in kids

Injuries

Preventing sport injuries in kids

It is very much advisable to get kids involved in as many games and sports as possible in their growing years. Involvement in sports teaches kids to stretch their limits while learning sportsmanship and discipline. However it is important to remember that any and all sports that the child participates in can lead to potential injury. However by identifying the cause of sports injuries, and its prevention, you can really create positive experiences in your child.

It is usually kids younger than 8 years who are susceptible to sports injuries as they are less coordinated and have slower reaction time than adults. Moreover kids tend to mature at different ages and rates. This leads to substantial difference in height and weight of kids of the same age; and this leads to an increased risk of injury. As kids grow older and stronger, there is also an increased potential for injuries between children.

It is very much possible to prevent children from sports injuries by following some easy steps. The main thing to remember is to adapt a procedure of using proper equipment when playing sports. Make sure that they use the appropriate equipment and safety gear that is of the right size, and fits them well.

Make sure that they wear helmets for baseball, bicycle riding, softball and hockey to prevent injuries of the ball hitting their heads. They also have to be encouraged to wear helmets when practicing in-line skating or riding scooters and skateboards to protect their heads if they fall. You could consider protective eyewear like shatterproof goggles if your child is interested in racquet sports and basketball. The best person to approach for tips on the necessary helmets, athletic cups, shoes, mouth guards and padding for your child is the coach.

Make sure you buy protective helmets that are approved by organizations governing the individual sports. In addition to this, ensure that the playing field your child plays in is not full of holes and ruts that may make your kid fall or trip. It is better to have your child do high impact sports like basketball and running on tracks and wooden basketball course as they are more forgiving than concrete surfaces.

Make sure that all team sports and activity that your child participates in is supervised by qualified adults by selecting teams that have the same commitment to safety and prevention of injury as you do. The coach should have training in first aid and CPR and carry a philosophy of promoting the well being of players. And make sure that the coach always enforces playing rules and maintain the need of safety equipment at all times. Most important, children should be matched for sports according to their skill level, size, physical and emotional maturity.

And last, but not least, send your kid for sports with the right preparation. Never send a child to play a sport that he or she is not prepared to play. And make sure that the child knows how to play the sport, before sending him or her to the field. Always maintain a habit of preparing the child with adequate warm ups and training sessions before practices and games to reduce the chances of injury, and to ensure more fun to your child.