High school sports can be a great way to keep your children involved and active, but their safety should always be top of mind. Contact sports can put your children at risk for concussions and other injuries. Even sports with less contact run the potential risk of impairment. Despite the potential risks, organized athletics are a popular activity for most young adults. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, 30 million children participate in youth sports in America. Of the high school students participating in organizing athletics, there are an estimated 2 million injuries each year. If your child is involved with sports, keep these tips in mind to avoid injury and keep them safe while still giving them the freedom to participate in the activities they love.
Don’t Skip the Warm Up
Athletes of any age need to take the time before games to warm up their muscles before rigorous activity. If you accompany your children to their games and practices, make sure to arrive at the game with enough time for a full warm up. Your children should have the proper education about the stretches and warm-ups that they need to prepare their bodies for the game. Various conditioning exercises will help build muscle strength over time and help develop the muscles needed for play.
Take a Break
Remind your children to take the necessary breaks needed. Don’t let them overwork their bodies and put themselves at risk for injury. Rest periods during practices and games will help to eliminate the risk of heat-related injury. Encourage your children to reach out to their coaches when they are experiencing any fatigue or pain. Insist that your children take one or two days off a week to give their bodies a rest from physical activity.
Remember to Hydrate
Dehydration is a risk for anyone who participates in physical activity. Don’t let your children wait until they are thirsty to remember to hydrate. Your children should be continuously drinking water before, during, and after their practices and games. As a guideline, remind your children to drink at least 64 oz. of water a day, and more during strenuous activity.
Keep Proper Equipment
Improper equipment puts your child at further risk for injury. Make sure you provide them with the proper equipment that will protect them during their games and practices. The gear must fit properly in order to fully protect them and must be worn during all activity related to the sport. Protective equipment such as pads, mouthpieces, helmets, and eyewear protects the parts of the body that are at the highest risk for injury during the sport. Read more about the importance of proper safety equipment here.
Play Safe
As a parent of a student athlete, educate yourself and your children about the risks and warning signs of concussions. Contact sports are dangerous. Knowing the risks and the proper techniques to protect themselves can help to prevent head injuries. Before participating in any sport, educate your children on the rules of the game to keep your child, and the other players safe.
Often, organized athletics can lead to unavoidable injuries, but being educated about the potential risks can help to minimize some of the risks. Any number of situations can lead to a child sports injury.
At the law firm of Owen, Patterson & Owen, we have more than 30 years of experience getting results for child sports injury victims and other accident victims in Southern California. Call us at 800.676.5295 or contact us if you have any questions about your options regarding a child’s sports injury accident.
