Tips for keeping children injury-free while playing sports – WCPO

CINCINNATI – As schools reopen, students and parents should take steps to prevent sports injuries.

Physicians in the Division of Sports Medicine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center say preparation before the first day of practice is critical in reducing the risk of injury.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, approximately 3.5 million 14-and-unders get hurt in sports or   recreational activities. More than 775,000 are treated in hospital emergency rooms. Most injuries occur during unorganized or informal sports activities.

Doctors are especially concerned about the exponential increase in overuse injuries. These injuries often result from excessive training year-round or a rapid ramp up of activity after a period of inactivity, particularly at the start of any sports season.

Cincinnati Children’s doctors suggest these tips to ensure children’s safety when they return to school sports:

• Four to six weeks prior to the onset of any sports season, children should start exercising regularly to get ready for their season.
• Acclimate children to hot weather workouts by gradually increasing time outdoors in the heat and humidity. Acclimatization should occur for about the first 10 days to two weeks of practice to help prevent heat injuries.
• Make sure children drink plenty of fluids and take  breaks every 10-15 minutes while participating in sports or physical activity. They should wear light clothing and limit their exposure to the sun in the hottest part of the day. Applying towels soaked in ice cubes and water to the head and neck helps to stay cool.
• When heat illness is suspected, move the athlete into the shade or coolest area nearby. Try to cool them as quickly as possible by exposing the skin to ice/cold water and cool circulating air.
• Young athletes with asthma should use preventative inhalers 20-30 minutes before exercise, do a gradual warm-up and  have an inhaler available to them during practices and  competition.
• Children should always wear recommended protective equipment and ensure it is well-fitted.  Many head injuries result from helmets not being fitted or used correctly. Athletic trainers can fit helmets in the sports where they are needed.
• Remind children to immediately tell the coach or trainer if they feel dizzy, “foggy,” have a lapse in memory, or have a headache after taking a blow to the head. Ahletes who have symptoms affecting their thought process after taking a blow to the head should not return to the same practice, game or contest and should be evaluated by a physician prior to return to play.