Gear Up for Youth Sports Safety

Fitness. Teamwork. Self-discipline. As more and more parents recognize the benefits of children’s sports, their popularity continues to grow. Nearly three-quarters of U.S. households with school-age children have at least one child who plays in organized sports. Still more children participate in recreational activities such as bicycling, inline skating, riding scooters and skateboarding.

However, the risk that accompanies these activities can be forgotten in the excitement. According to Safe Kids USA, more than 3.5 million children ages 14 and under are treated for sports injuries each year. Roughly half of these injuries are sustained in solo activities — especially biking, skating, and skateboarding. However, approximately one out of four participants in youth soccer, football or baseball has been injured at least once.

Fortunately, getting hurt doesn’t have to be “part of the game.” It is estimated that half of all sports- and recreation-related injuries can be prevented. Protective equipment, safer playing environments and rules are designed to prevent injury.

In team sports, most injuries — 62 percent — occur during practices, not games. “Always insist that your kids wear the same protective gear, do the same warm-ups and take all the same precautions when they practice as when they're getting ready for a game,” says Chrissy Cianflone, director of program operations at Safe Kids Worldwide.

“When we think of sports injuries, we think of dramatic tackles or falls or being hit in the head, but young athletes are also at risk of strains and repetitive-motion injuries,” says Cianflone. “If your coach recommends certain types of warm-ups, it's not just to make you a better athlete — it will help keep you from getting hurt.” Repetitive-motion injuries account for nearly half of all sports injuries to students in grade 6 and above.

All children should use these precautions when playing or practicing any individual or team sport:

• Before signing up for a sport, get a general physical exam.
• Always wear appropriate protective gear for the activity — for practice as well as games — and make sure it's the right size and properly adjusted.
• Do your warm-ups. If it's important before a game, it's important before practice too.
• Make sure responsible adults know and enforce the safety rules of the sport, are present to supervise, and are trained in first aid and CPR. Also, make sure the field is in safe condition.
• Never “play through” an injury. Get immediate help from a coach or trainer.
• Follow the rules. In most sports, the rules are based not only on sportsmanship, but safety.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water or electrolyte sports drink before and during the activity, and rest frequently during hot weather.

For more information about sports safety tips, visit Safe Kids USA.

Source: USA Safe Kids (www.usa.safekids.org)

National Youth Sports Safety Month
The month of April has been proclaimed National Youth Sports Safety Month. The national health event was initiated by the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation in 1993 to promote safety in sports participation.

More than sixty national medical and sports organizations support National Youth Sports Safety Month including the American College of Sports Medicine, The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, and The United States Olympic Committee.

Safe Kids Week – April 28, 2008 through May 2, 2008
To bring awareness to this issue of youth safety, the theme of Safe Kids Week this year is “Gear Up for Safety”. Safe Kids Week is supported nationally by Safe Kids Worldwide and locally by Safe Kids Central Ohio. This year Safe Kids Central Ohio is holding a poster contest to recognize Safe Kids Week. Fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students from across Franklin County are invited to participate. The grand prize winner will be awarded tickets to a Columbus Clippers baseball game on May 4, 2008, and $75. The second and third place winners will receive $50 and $25 respectively.

Information about the poster contest as well as a registration form are available below. All registrations must be postmarked by Friday, April 18, 2008. Entries should be returned to:

Columbus Public Health
Attn: Linda Tvorik
240 Parsons Ave.
Columbus, OH 43215

Questions? Call Linda Tvorik at (614) 645-6138 or email at lltvorik@columbus.gov

Click HERE for the registration form.