Tips to Prevent Sports Injuries this Summer

We all know that summer will soon be here. Many sports camps and athletic programs will pick up when school lets out, and with that comes the potential for sports-related injuries. It is important to understand the causes of these injuries and learn how to prevent them. Our friends from CareNow Urgent Care share common Q&A regarding sports injuries.

Common Types of Sports Injuries

Three common types of sports injuries in kids and teens are acute injuries (like bruises, sprains, strains, or broken bones), overuse injuries (like little league elbow, shin splints, and swimmer’s shoulder), and reinjuries (which happen when athletes return to a sport before an injury is healed).

Preventing Sports Injuries

You can help protect your kids from being injured by following some simple guidelines:

Use proper equipment: It's important for kids to use proper equipment and safety gear that is the correct size and fits well. Ask your child's coach about the appropriate helmets, shoes, mouthguards, athletic supports, and padding. Although not a league or school requirement for many sports, consider using protective eyewear, like shatterproof glasses.

Employ adult supervision and commitment to safety: Any team sport or activity that kids participate in should be supervised by qualified adults. The team coach should have training in first aid and CPR, and the coach's philosophy should promote players' well-being over winning.

A coach with a win-at-all-costs attitude may encourage kids to play through injury and may not foster good sportsmanship. Be sure that the coach enforces playing rules and requires that safety equipment is used at all times.

Prepare properly: Just as you wouldn't send a child who can't swim to a swimming pool, it's important not to send kids to play a sport that they're unprepared to play. Make sure that they know how to play the sport before going out on the field. Kids should be adequately prepared with warm-ups and training sessions before practices and games. This will help ensure that they have fun and reduce the chances of an injury. They should also drink plenty of fluids and be allowed periods of rest during practices and games.

Treating Sports Injuries

Treatment of sports injuries depends on the type of injury. The best thing you can do for your young athletes is to play it safe. If an injury appears to affect basic functioning in any way — for example, if your child can't bend a finger, is limping, or has had a change in consciousness — first aid should be given immediately. A doctor should then see your child.

If the injury seems to be more serious, it's important to take your child to the nearest ER. Regardless of the injury, remember when recovery is complete, your child's technique or training schedule might need to be adjusted to prevent the injury from flaring up again.

P.S. If your kiddo needs a physical for summer camp or a summer sports league, check out your nearest CareNow Urgent Care where physicals are only $20 until August 31, 2018!

CareNow Urgent Care
7120 E County Line Road
Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
Phone: 720-446-5891
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Additional locations near you:

Parker: (720) 588-4000
11339 S. Pikes Peak Drive, Parker, CO 80138
Greenwood Village: (720) 446-5890
5990 S. University Blvd., Greenwood Village, CO 80121
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