Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Preventing Sports Injuries in Children
Parents can prevent child injuries from sports activities by understanding the causes and effects.
Kids, particularly those under age eight, are susceptible to a variety of injuries because they are less coordinated and have slower reaction times than adults. They are still growing and developing those skills. Children also mature at different rates, so they have a variety of different heights and weights among children of the same age. There is an increased risk of injury when there is such disparity among sizes.
According to KidsHealth.org, as the kids grow bigger and stronger more force is involved in sports activities and the potential for injuries increases. It is also difficult for kids to understand the risks of certain activities and they may take more risks that can result in injuries.
There are precautions parents can take when their children participate in sports that will prevent injuries. One of the most important things to consider is the use of proper equipment and safety gear. Children should wear helmets for baseball, softball, bicycle riding, and hockey. They should also wear helmets when inline skating or riding scooters and skateboards.
Children playing racquetball and basketball should wear protective eyewear, like shatterproof goggles. They should also wear appropriate helmets, shoes, mouth guards, athletic cups and supporters, and padding, depending on the sport. The coach should be able to recommend what is needed.
According to the website, protective equipment is approved by the organizations that govern each of the sports. Hockey face masks, for example, should be approved by the Hockey Equipment Certification Council (HECC) or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Bicycle helmets should have a safety certification sticker from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The equipment should be properly maintained to ensure its effectiveness over time. In the United States, the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) sets many of the standards for helmets, face masks, and shin guards.
The surface of where the sport takes place should also be maintained well to prevent injuries. Parents and coaches should check that playing fields are not full of holes and ruts that might cause kids to fall or trip. Kids doing high-impact sports, like basketball and running, should do them on surfaces like tracks and wooden basketball courts, which can be more forgiving than surfaces like concrete.
All team sports and activities should be supervised by qualified adults. Parents can make sure that the leagues and teams their children play with are committed to safety and injury prevention. They should also make sure their children are matched to the sport by their size, skill level, and physical and emotional maturity.
Parents should make sure that the team coach has training in first aid and CPR. They should also make sure the coach has a philosophy of protecting children and enforces the proper rules, protective gear, and safety equipment at all times. Having children do warm-ups and practice sessions can also reduce the chances of injury.
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