Sports Injuries in children

25 million children engage in schoolsponsored sports. About 20 million children play in extracurricular, organized sports. a healthy focus on sports will lead to more injuries in children can occur.

 Each year, sports cause up to seven million injuries in Americans. children ages 5 to 15 have 59.3 injuries per 1,000 One study found the most common cause of pediatric injuries was sports/overexertion. The second highest group is children ages 15 to 24, with a rate of 56.4 per 1,000. More than one third of children suffer sportsrelated injuries requiring treatment from a doctor or nurse.

Prevent Injury to the child athlete

children should be given repeated messages about wearing protective headgear ,mouth guards, eye protection when playing sports. If the child fails to comply, he should be withdrawn from the play. Warm up Before Exercises minimize the chance of muscle strain or other soft tissue injury during sports. Children should have the right to stop playing if they suffer an injury Notice early signs of damage or overuse (such as pain, swelling or redness). Coaches should not commit verbal, mental, or emotional abuse, including belittling of players or use of profanity. the school board has the right to discharge the offending coaches

Types of Injuries
The most common types of sports injuries are: -strains and sprains(31% to 34% of injuries)(an injury to a ligament--a stretching or a tearing.) -contusions (30%) -fractures (25%) -overuse injury: Baseball Repeated throwing little leaguer's shoulder, little leaguer's elbow -Heat injury Most injured: -upper limbs(46%) -lower limbs (36%) - head and neck (15%) - trunk (3%).

How injuries occur

often due to being struck by or striking an object (34% of incidents) Falls cause 28% of injuries overexertion causes 13%. First Aid can be given to treat minor injuries, to stop bleeding and to stabilize bony injuries Mouth guards should prevent teeth injuries. Always refer tooth injury to a dentist for immediate evaluation.

Treat Injuries with R.I.C.E.

Rest Reduce or stop using the injured area for 48 hours. leg injury- don t stand on that leg. 2. Ice Put an ice pack on the injured area for 20 minutes at a time, 4 to 8 times per day. Put ice in ice bag, or a plastic bag wrapped in a towel. 3. Compression Compression of an injured ankle, knee, or wrist may help reduce the swelling. Use elastic bandages, special boots, air casts and splints. Ask your doctor which one is best. 4. Elevation Keep the injured area elevated above the level of the heart. Use a pillow to help elevate an injured limb. 1.

Heat Injuries
Heat injuries are always dangerous and can be fatal: -dehydration (deficit in body fluids) - heat exhaustion (nausea, dizziness, weakness, headache, pale and moist skin, heavy sweating, normal or low body temperature, weak pulse, dilated pupils, muscle cramps) - heat stroke (headache, dizziness, confusion, and hot dry skin, coma, and death) it is easier to prevent heat illness than to treat

How to prevent heat-related illnesses

Recognize the dangers of playing in the heat. Respond quickly if heat-related injuries occur. Avoid exercise during the hottest time of day; train closer to sunrise or sunset. Schedule regular breaks during practice and games. Drinking water is the best choice; others include fruit juices and sports drinks. Kids need to drink 8 ounces of fluid every 20 minutes, plus more after playing. Avoid hot foods, alcohol and heavy foods that increase your core temperature

Make player substitutions more frequently in the heat. Wear light-colored, "breathable" clothing, and wide-brimmed hats Use sunblock with SPF 15 or higher. Use misting water sprays on the body to keep cool

Treat Heat Exhaustion

Stop activities and rest Drink cool, non-alcoholic drinks Take a cool shower, or bath Move to an air-conditioned room Remove extra clothing