How to Prevent Sports Injuries in Children?

According to SAEDNEWS, Regular physical activities have become increasingly common for children and adolescents, often taking the form of competitive sports. In specific sports such as figure skating, swimming, and gymnastics, children begin regular training at the age of five or six, while contact sports like soccer can start even earlier.

In some sports, it’s typical for children to train for 2 to 4 hours, 5 to 6 days a week. Is it beneficial for children of this age to start training and competing regularly? Children’s play typically involves running and jumping, forming the natural foundation for their physical activities. However, the increasing demand and intensity of regular physical training can have negative effects during their adolescent years, which requires special attention. Studies in sports like swimming and tennis have shown that very few champions from these sports achieve success in adulthood, meaning it’s hard to predict their development and future performance. Many young athletes soon give up sports because they no longer enjoy them. Therefore, children and adolescents should be given the opportunity to try various sports rather than focusing solely on one. According to this principle, sports should be fun and enjoyable for children and adolescents, not hard or painful. The principles that adults use for sports and training should not be applied to younger children but should be adapted to their needs. Continuous sports training for adolescents can be risky from physiological, psychological, and skeletal perspectives. Children should be treated as smaller versions of adults.

What Are the Most Common Sports Injuries in Adolescents?

Overuse and excessive pressure on the body are common causes of injuries in adolescents.

Performing exercises incorrectly and structural abnormalities can lead to chronic injuries.

Adolescents need to be physically fit enough to avoid injuries.

If any injury occurs, a doctor should be consulted to take the necessary actions.

In some cases, a person may think their ankle is sprained when, in fact, the bone is fractured.

What Types of Injuries Are Caused by Sports?

Sports injuries are divided into two categories: traumatic and chronic injuries.

A sudden injury, such as a sprained ankle, is classified as a traumatic injury.

Approximately 60% of sports injuries in adolescents are related to the ankle.

Chronic injuries occur due to the excessive and repeated use of muscles or joints, leading to problems such as tears, strains, and cramps.

Excessive physical activity in adolescents increases the risk of overuse of muscles, tendons, and bones.

In some cases, joint injuries in adolescents can affect the growth plates of the joints.

The growth plate is the area that continues to grow until puberty is completed.

In general, in sports activities, there is a risk of ligament tears or sprains, especially the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee.

In contact-heavy sports, the risk of injuries is higher for adolescents, particularly for girls.

Preventing Sports Injuries in Children

To enjoy sports games safely, children must be familiar with and follow safety rules. Most physical injuries in children during sports result from not adhering to these rules.

To prevent sports injuries, warming up before exercise and cooling down afterward are crucial and effective in reducing soreness and muscle pain.

The area where children play or engage in sports should be safe and free from hazards.

Some sports require special safety equipment, such as helmets, wrist guards, knee pads, and others. With the help of the child's coach, you can acquire these items, ensuring that they are new and properly fitted to the child to prevent injuries.

Young children should not engage in sports that could interfere with or damage the growth of their bones, muscles, and joints. The best way to prevent injuries is to engage in a variety of sports that do not focus on one specific body part and are not excessively long. Weight training before puberty is never recommended and should always be done under the supervision of a coach afterward.

The best situation for a child is to play or practice sports with peers or children of similar height and build.

To prevent sports injuries, since children's bodies heat up or cool down much faster than adults, they should not participate in activities lasting longer than 30 minutes. Additionally, they should not play sports in very hot weather (over 30°C) or stay in cold water for extended periods.

Children often do not know when they need to drink water and often require hydration before they feel thirsty. They should drink water before, during, and after exercise and play.

To prevent injuries, children should use sunscreen and wear a brimmed hat when playing sports in hot weather.

Do not force a child to do something they are unable to or afraid to do. Likewise, avoid criticizing or mocking a child for not performing well or not playing correctly.

Be cautious that no one—whether players, coaches, or spectators—shouts at or accuses the child. Sports for children should be led with gentleness and calmness.

Sports injuries in children must be treated with extra care to avoid disrupting their growth or leading to disability.