Tara McPherson Corporate Wellness Team Lead View Bio

Each year, nearly 4 million children ages 14 and under suffer from sports-related injuries. Every day, from soccer fields to ice rinks, millions of youths participate in sporting activities. Playing sports builds the body and mind, but can also result in injury if the proper safety precautions are not taken. Young athletes are at an increased risk for injury because their bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments are still growing.

Safety Tips

The risk of injury should not keep a child from participating in sports. Instead, parents and coaches need to take the proper precautions by following safety guidelines and providing the proper protective equipment to keep young athletes safe during play. Parents, coaches and children are encouraged to follow these safety precautions:

  • Know and follow the rules of the sport.
  • Be in good physical condition before beginning any sport.
  • Wear proper apparel and protective gear.
  • Know how to use athletic equipment.
  • Be sure to warm up before playing.
  • Drink plenty of liquids before playing to prevent dehydration.
  • Do not play when tired or in pain.

If Injury Occurs

Prompt treatment can often prevent a minor injury from turning into something worse. The first step is to use RICE therapy (rest, ice, compress and elevate). If a child displays any of the following signs, they may need to visit the doctor:

  • Inability or decreased ability to play.
  • Visible deformity.
  • Severe pain that prevents the use of an arm or leg.
  • Symptoms which persist or affect athletic performance.

Prevention

Most sports-related injuries are preventable. The following are steps coaches and parents can take to help reduce the chances of an injury occurring:

  • Enroll your child in programs where you know an adult will be monitoring the event.
  • Be sure your child uses the proper safety equipment.
  • Teach your child to start by warming up and stretching.
  • Remind your child to cool down afterwards.

 

ABOUT LAWLEY CORPORATE WELLNESS
& Our Wellness Team and Services

Proactive health management efforts are an opportunity to reduce the healthcare costs for your business while at the same time, improving the health of employees. By effectively reducing the number of employees who are at risk of becoming chronically ill and managing the conditions of the chronically ill, the overall consumption of healthcare costs can be reduced. Being a part of a wellness program can help you proactively take an approach towards an effective health management plan for your business.