PREVENTING SPORTS INJURIES
In addition to head injuries, there are other injuries that occur in sports and are often preventable. Remind your child that it’s important not to begin strenuous exercise without a good warm-up. Even though children do not need as long as adults to get into shape, it does take time. They should stretch with supervision before each work out. Hopefully this will minimize the risks of strains and sprains.
As mentioned in the previous article, helmets can prevent many head injuries in sports. Some sports and leagues do require helmets (baseball, hockey, boys lacrosse); others do not (and perhaps should, i.e. girls lacrosse). Other protective gear includes polycarbonate sports goggles, chest protectors for catchers in baseball and softball (and may be considered for batting), shin guards for soccer, mouth guards, athletic supporters/groin cups for males and proper padding and protectors for football.
Your child should also know and follow the rules of the sport(s) they are playing, use athletic equipment properly, avoid playing when very tired or in pain, drink adequate water/fluids to prevent dehydration and use sunscreen for outdoor sports. Your child should also have a yearly/preseason physical.