Now that school has started back up and Fall is gearing up, it is time for all things football, soccer, cross country, and more. Sports are a normal part of many people’s lives during the school year that we look forward to, but with anything else, there are risks involved. Read on to learn more about how common sports-related injuries are, who is at risk, and what can be done to prevent injuries from occurring.
Healthy Tip Tuesday is brought to you in partnership with Trinity Health Systems.
What do the stats say:
Recreational activities, including sports, account for an estimated 3.2 million visits to emergency rooms each year for children aged 5-14 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Injuries from organized and unorganized sports account for 775,000 emergency room visits annually for children in this same age group. Sports-related injuries are the leading cause of emergency room visits in 12-17-year-olds.
Who is at risk?
- Youth who play sports on a regular basis for school or recreational league
- High-contact sports such as football
- High-intensity sports such as running
- Adults and youth who are “out of practice” or not adequately prepared to compete in a particular sport.
While injuries can never be totally eliminated, there are steps that can be taken to help prevent them.
- Physical examination each year by a doctor
- Participate in supervised sports and activities
- Wear proper equipment for the different sports
- Stretch and warm up before play
- Stop if there is any pain
- Have a first aid kit available at all times
- Match youth sports teams up by size, weight, and skill level
