Injury Prevention in Youth Sports

Veigel, Jake D.1; Pleacher, Michael D.2 Current Sports Medicine Reports, Volume 7(6), November/December 2008, pp 348-352.

Thought this was an interesting article as my daughter just injured her arm and ended up with a cast this week... tis the spring season! Enjoy~ Kris

Sport is the principal cause of injury in children and adolescents. Youth participation in organized athletics is estimated to be 45million in the United States alone. These injuries influence health and fitness and have socioeconomic impact. Many injuries can be prevented. This article outlines the efficacy of current injury prevention strategies in youth sports through the use of educational programs, rule changes in baseball and hockey, safety equipment, and conditioning programs.

With an estimated 45 million children and adolescents involved in organized athletics in the United States, it is not surprising that sport is the primary cause of injury in young people. The majority of injuries are mild strains, sprains, and contusions, with few severe enough to require hospitalization. Despite the relatively low severity of these injuries, they can have a significant impact. Injuries may lead to reduced participation in sport and fitness activities, thus contributing to the childhood obesity epidemic. Injury also may disrupt potential benefits of sport, including increased self-esteem, community involvement, and increased fitness. Injury has direct costs from evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation, and indirect costs of parental sick leave and lost productivity if parents miss work to tend to an injured child.

Many youth sport-related injuries can be prevented. Prevention strategies include educational programs (rules and safe play/injury prevention programs), rule changes (no checking/limited checking in hockey); , safety equipment (increased use of helmets and headgears in sports, eye protection in squash, leg braces for volleyball) , and preseason and in-season conditioning programs (specific sport exercises, warm-up and cool-down exercises).

Based upon the recent available data, there are numerous strategies that can be implemented in youth sports to effectively prevent injuries. Enhancing the safety of athletes may lead to greater enjoyment of and longer participation in sports. Given the recent pediatric obesity epidemic, it stands to reason that medical professionals should promote safe and enjoyable physical activities for our youth. Strong evidence exists that supports the implementation of altered rules, use of safety equipment, and participation in specific conditioning programs. Enforcement of rules designed to protect athletes should be uniform. Education of parents and coaches must continue regarding evolving injury prevention methods. Sports medicine providers who care for young athletes are in a unique position to stay abreast of new literature on injury prevention and to educate athletes, parents, and coaches of new ways to protect our young athletes.