Football is a popular Fall pastime for many including young athletes and it leads all other sports in the number of injuries sustained. In 2007, more than 920,000 athletes under the age of 18 were treated in emergency rooms, doctors’ offices, and clinics for football-related injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Injuries may occur during games and practice with the combination of speed and contact. Common injuries include traumatic injuries to the knee and shoulder, concussions, overuse injuries, and heat injuries. Traumatic injuries should be immediately assessed by a health care professional. They can adversely impact a player’s long term involvement in the sport. Players and their parents should be aware that concussions do not always result in a loss of consciousness. If a player shows signs of headaches, dizziness, nausea, loss of balance, and blurry vision the athlete should be screened for a concussion and only return to play when clearance is given. Overuse injuries like back pain are fairly common. Players should avoid training beyond the body’s ability to recover. Heat injuries generally occur in August when the combination of heat and training cause excessive loss of water and salt from the body. Early signs are cramping of major muscle groups and if not addressed can lead to exhaustion and stroke. Players need to replace fluids during practice and inform staff when signs appear.
Stop Sports Injuries provides the following recommendations to help prevent the most common injuries.
- Have a pre-season health and wellness evaluation
- Perform proper warm-up and cool-down routine
- Consistently incorporate strength training and stretching
- Hydrate adequately to maintain health and minimize cramps
- Stay active during summer break to prepare for return to sports in the fall
- Wear properly fitted protective equipment, such as a helmet, pads, and mouthguard
- Tackle with the head up and do not lead with the helmet
- Speak with a sports medicine professional or athletic trainer if you have any concerns about injuries or prevention strategies
To see the complete tip sheet and others provided by Stop Sports Injuries visit http://www.stopsportsinjuries.org/sports-injury-prevention/healthcare-providers-resources.aspx. As parents and guardians we want to see our youth be active and participate in activities that promote their health and happiness. We must also guide them as they develop athletically to preserve their health and prevent where possible injuries.
REFERENCES
Stop Sports Injuries Web site: http://www.stopsportsinjuries.org.
Stop Sports Injuries Sports Tips found at: http://stopsportsinjuries.reingoldweb.com/files/pdf/AOSSM_Football.pdf. September 23, 2010. |
