All About Sports Injuries In Children
Sports injuries in children occur quite often, especially among those who play a lot. Sports injuries are different when they occur in children, as opposed to in adults. Why? Because children’s locomotor system has certain peculiarities, leading to acute and less acute injuries.
Types of sports injuries in children
If you have a child at home who is constantly playing sports, then it is fundamental that you are aware of the kind of injury that can occur. Among the most common injuries are the following:
Acute lesions
Among the most common, acute injuries are soft tissue fractures and traumatic lesions. These have a direct relationship with any kind of bump a child experiences when playing. The most common, acute injuries are the following:
- Dislocation of the medial epicondyle in the elbow
- Anterior tibial tubercle fracture
- Pelvic ovulation fracture
- Avulsion fracture of tuberosity in the tibia
- Avulsion of the inner part of the patella
Injuries due to overexertion
Also known as stress injuries, this type of pathology refers to repetitive submaximal strain. If not treated quickly, they can end up destroying a child’s skeleton. This type of injury has a variety of causes, among which we find the following:
- Mistakes that occur during training
- Inappropriate footwear
- Pre-existing orthopedic changes
- Inappropriate terrain
- Musculotendinous imbalance
Studies according to sports injuries in children
Certain sports may be more likely to cause certain types of injuries in children. It is fundamental to know which sports involve a greater risk so that parents can be aware.
In 2008, the International Journal of Medicine and Science of Physical Activity and Sport published a study on this topic. According to this study, children who participate in the following sports are more likely to experience sports injuries:
Football
It is one of the most popular sports for children worldwide. As it is a direct contact sport, it is more likely that different types of injuries occur… especially on the legs and feet.
Furthermore, the injuries can occur due to a football field in poor condition. The use of inappropriate footwear and poor ball control are also possible causes of injury.
According to the data collected by the study, this sport is at the top of the list of accidents at school, with 41%. Among the sports statistics, indoor soccer is another of the sports that causes the greatest number of injuries in school-age children.
Basketball
Basketball is an extremely common sport among children and it has a myriad of benefits. However, the incidence of injuries is also high. Inadequate condition of basketball courts and use of inappropriate movements while playing are both contributing factors.
Therefore, the most common injuries that occur in basketball are sprains of the ankle, overexertion and injuries to the interphalangeal joints and the basal joints of the hands.
Basketball takes second place among the sports that cause the most injuries, by 15%, according to the study.
Other sports
In the case of volleyball, injuries to the forearms can occur if the children do not use the right ball. At the same time, injuries can occur in gymnastics and judo – however, they tend to be less frequent. Among the percentages in the survey, gymnastics ends up in third place with 15%, and the remaining 9% goes to other sports.
How to prevent sports injuries in children
Many times, it can be difficult to keep sports injuries from happening. This is because many involve direct contact and they require a variety of movements. Even then, some injuries occur for other reasons, which is why prevention is such an important matter.
To prevent sports injuries in children, we suggest the following:
- Appropriate use of sports equipment. Children should always use the right balls, protective equipment and other sports equipment for any sport. Furthermore, it is important to ensure that they are playing on the right terrain and that the playing field is in good condition.
- Appropriate training.
- Using the right mooring. This does not just mean that you choose the right type of shoe according to the sport and the terrain. It also means making sure that the shoe fits properly, etc.
- It is important that children participate in athletic institutions that teach them proper techniques, as well as teamwork.
- When sports injuries occur in children, it is important that they recover completely before participating in sports again.
Despite the risk of injury, it is crucial that children participate in sports as it offers endless benefits. What is important is that parents pay attention and teach their children to take appropriate safety precautions. That way, you can reduce the risk of your children suffering an injury to a minimum.
