A study by US-based advocacy group Safe Kids Worldwide into youth sports injuries mirrors the headlines we’ve been seeing all summer about contact injuries in football and other sports: that the culture of ‘staying in the game’ gives rise to more injuries – and potentially more serious injuries.
90% of US teen athletes surveyed (aged 13-15) claim to have suffered an injury whilst playing a sport. Of the injuries reported, 13% were concussion or head injuries. The total number of accident and emergency treatments for children related to sports injuries in the States in 2013 was a staggering 1.24million – that would equate to more than 161,000 brain and head injuries given the survey’s findings.
The study highlights some of the behaviours that need to be addressed by players, parents and coaches in order to reduce the risk and incidence of any injury. These include:
- Setting the ground rules at the start of the season
- Training proper techniques including warm ups, stretching and strength training to prevent injuries
- Encouraging athletes to develop skills in several sports to prevent ‘overuse’ injuries
- Encouraging athletes to speak up when injured Putting an end to dirty play and rule breaking
- Encouraging coaches to get qualified in injury prevention and first aid skills
Source articles can be found here:
