We can’t say that it’s a new-age thing to be over-protective of kids when it comes to certain sports activities, especially sports that may result in injuries. Parents have always been concerned about this, whereby those who prioritise their kids’ wellbeing will take all sorts of precautionary steps to minimise the risks of their child getting injured.
Here’s some useful information about why injuries occur, how to prevent them, and what to do if your child gets hurt.
First and foremost, do know that children are always prone to injury, and it’s mainly because they aren’t fully coordinated yet and many may still have slower reaction times than adults. Resist measuring the likeliness of your child acquiring//escaping sports injury by comparing them with other kids their age, for kids mature at different rates and there can be a substantial difference in height and weight between children of the same age.
As children grow bigger and stronger, the potential for injury (and severity of it) can increase.
What can you do to prevent your child from being injured? Here are some useful tips:
- Use proper equipment.
- Take your child for a physical check-up before participation.
- Make sure there will be full-time supervision.
- Send him off with ample fluids (a few bottles of water) to prevent dehydration.
- Ensure that playing surfaces are maintained.
- Insist on warm-ups and training sessions.
Beware of some common types of sports injuries
- Acute injuries: These include bad bruises, sprains, broken bones, torn ligaments, and concussions. In many cases, they are caused by improper equipment
- Overuse injuries: Includes “swimmer’s shoulder” and shin splints, which may be the results of inadequate warm-up, excessive activity, improper technique, or unsuitable equipment
- Re-injuries: The result of the child returning to activity before a previous injury has healed.
What to do if your child gets injured
For acute injuries, a child should get immediate first-aid attention. If the injury appears to affect normal physical or mental functioning in any way, a visit to the pediatrician is essential – the sooner the better.
Overuse injuries and re-injuries are the body’s ways of saying there’s a problem. Take your child to a pediatrician to get a prompt diagnosis necessary for quick healing. Often, the treatment involves modifying or temporarily halting the activity that caused the injury.
5 Useful Tips For Parents
1. Remind your child to warm-up
Warming-up moves, such as stretching, are an important prevention technique that should become a habit for your child before starting an activity or sport. A good mix of both static and dynamic stretching during warmups will help loosen the muscles and prepare them physically. Toe touches and stretches that hold a person in the same position for a certain amount of time are examples of static warm-ups, where else jumping jacks and stretches, where the body continues to move during stretching, are considered dynamic warm-ups.
2. Ensure your child eats a healthy diet
A healthy, well-balanced diet that includes lean proteins, vitamins, and minerals is essential to maintain the vitality and energy levels of your child so that he will thrive in sports. It will also help keep him alert while in his game, as well as strong enough to perform well with less likeliness of injuries.
3. Ensure the usage of proper equipment
Protective equipment, like helmets, knee pads, and sports shoes are essential and have to be viewed as an integral part of injury prevention for children involved in sports. In any kind of sports, parents should ensure that their children are given ample time to get geared up appropriately before the activity begins. This includes being properly geared during practice as well.
4. A checkup at the doctor’s office
Not all parents will think of this, but taking this child for a physical check-up before allowing him or her to take part in any kind of sports will help to ensure that the child is fit enough in the first place to play the sport. It will help to rule out any unknown illness or conditions that may pave the way for unwanted injuries too.
5. Always inquire if your child is in pain
Not every child will complain of pain, and some may choose to keep it to themselves, especially if they think that admitting to it will end up in them having to sit a game out. The fact is, pains have to be addressed, for the signal that something is wrong somewhere. This is especially so with serious pain, which when left untreated, may lead to serious consequences. As a parent, try to be aware of your child’s behavior, and don’t let this get past your eyes.
