Injury Prevention

Sports Injuries

Children ages five to 14 account for nearly 40 percent of all sports-related injuries treated in hospital emergency departments. The rate and severity of sports-related injury increase with a child’s age.

Children are at greater risk for sports injuries than adults because they are unable to assess the risks; and they have less coordination, slower reaction times and less accuracy.

According to a survey sponsored by SAFE KIDS and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research & Education Foundation:

Four out of five parents whose children suffered a sports injury believed, “It was part of the game and probably would have happened anyway.”
One-third of parents (34 percent) said they do not often take the same safety precautions during their children’s practices as games, although most sports injuries occur during practice.
Only one in four organized sports activities always has a certified athletic trainer on-site, despite recommendations to have one present during all sporting activities.
More than one-third (41 percent) of parents reported that their kids’ coaches are not certified in CPR and do not keep a first-aid kit on-hand during play.

Knowing these risk factors you can take the following steps:

Don’t accept injuries as “part of the game.” Learn about safe practices for your child’s sport and ensure that he is properly equipped.
Talk with the coach about ensuring safety gear and other appropriate preventive measures are followed during practices, not just games.
Encourage your child’s sports league to add a certified athletic trainer when possible to all sporting events. At minimum, every team should have a first aid kit and the coach should have appropriate first-aid training.
Ensure that emergency response plans are clearly defined in advance of the season. Make sure the coach has your emergency contact information in the event that you are not on-site when an injury occurs.
Put your child’s safety first. If you are not comfortable that appropriate injury prevention measures are in place, withdraw your child from the sport.

Last Update
October 10, 2008

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