Education

Dear MAYO CLINIC: I am the Athletic Director of a middle school and the new term is approaching. We expect to see an increase in sports-related injuries from soccer, football, cheerleading, flag football and other activities. Young athletes get a lot of bruises and bruises, how can injuries be avoided? or how long to rest before returning to the game?

ANSWER: Sports are a great opportunity for young people. Sports provide not only physical health benefits, but also social, emotional, mental and educational benefits. Comparing those who participate in youth sports with those who do not, young athletes have lower rates of anxiety and depression, improved self-esteem, reduced substance use, improved life skills, and better academic performance. , and an overall higher quality of life.

However, participating in sports comes with potential risks such as injuries. Young athletes are still growing and prone to injury, so they have a variety of injuries. Certain sports carry a general risk of injury, but injuries can occur in almost any activity.

Injury types include trauma and overuse injuries.

Trauma usually occurs suddenly and is caused by a twist, fall, or collision. These injuries typically occur when players are interacting with the sports environment. Common examples include fractures, ligament sprains, muscle and tendon strains, and skin cuts and abrasions. Concussions and other injuries that affect other organ systems are much less common.

Trauma is more difficult to avoid. For example, some sports, such as soccer, have a high number of intentional collisions per game, which increases the risk of injury. Football is less colliding, but it is still possible to bump or twist body parts. This means athletes are prone to lower extremity, head and neck injuries.

These injuries can occur simply by stepping or running on uneven surfaces. Other sports like cross-country running, cheerleading, and dancing don’t have the same amount of trauma. However, there is a risk of falls and fractures.

Some possible strategies to reduce the risk of injury include:

Certain movement patterns and muscle weakness can increase your risk of injury. Screening tools can look at movement patterns to try to predict injury risk. The program aims to prevent injuries. For example, some programs are trying to prevent tearing her ACL. A sports medicine expert will direct you to resources for screening and prevention. Also, consider injury prevention programs at local hospitals and medical facilities.

Many sports have equipment such as helmets, mouthguards, eye protection, pads, braces and guards. This equipment is designed to protect athletes from injury. This equipment is often ineffective if not worn properly. The school’s Athletic his trainer, medical professional, or league official can provide the appropriate resources.

Many sports have rules to protect young athletes from injury, such as banning spear tackles in football and illegal checks in hockey. You can reduce your risk of injury by following the rules and promoting rule changes for safety.

Even a simple ankle sprain can cause problems if not properly rehabilitated. It is important for injured athletes to work with someone who has knowledge of injury rehabilitation before returning to play. Injuries to one part of the body have been shown to increase the risk of injury to other parts of the body, so treat all injuries with caution to ensure a safe return to sport . Find a professional with experience in sports.

Overuse damage occurs gradually over time. It often occurs when certain movements or stresses are repeatedly applied to certain structures in the body. This, combined with inadequate rest and recovery, leads to injury. Some examples of this include stress fractures. tendonitis and tendinopathy; osteomyelitis, which is a stress injury to the growth centers of bones.

Like trauma, certain sports carry a higher risk of certain overuse injuries than others. Runners are at higher risk of lower extremity overuse injuries, while tennis players, swimmers and baseball players are at higher risk of upper extremity overuse injuries. Overuse injuries are more preventable as they are usually the result of training errors or excessive load or stress placed on a particular body part.

Some possible strategies to reduce the risk of overuse injury include:

Rapid escalation of training or sudden changes in training type can be risk factors for developing certain injuries. Organizations do not have enough time to respond to new demands and are at risk of injury. Progressive training weeks before the season prepares student-athletes for the higher demands of the season.

Inadequate energy and hydration are risk factors for injury. For example, in cross-country and dance, athletes have high energy expenditure and relatively low energy intake.

Inadequate rest and overtraining increase the risk of injury. More is not necessarily better. People who participate in sports year-round or every day have a higher risk of injury than those who have rest periods.

There is a difference between pain and injury. However, most pain, such as muscle soreness, should improve with time and rest. Persistent pain is your body’s clue to a more concerning injury. Student-athletes may be reluctant to come forward and raise concerns. So it’s always worth talking to adolescents and encouraging them to say something if they’re not feeling well.

Despite our best efforts to reduce risk, injuries can still occur.

While it can be difficult to distinguish between pain and injury, consider the following tips, treatment recommendations, and guidance to help determine when student-athletes can return to the playing field.

An injury requires medical evaluation if:

• The pain is intense and does not improve with rest or worsens with continued activity.

• Injuries cause loss of function, such as the inability to fully walk, throw, or move a part of the body.

• Injury with obvious deformation or significant swelling.

• Injuries can prevent you from enjoying sports or continuing to train.

After being injured, take the following first steps:

• Rest and avoid painful activities. It is important to let the tissue heal.

• Use ice, elevation, compression, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications if needed to manage pain and reduce swelling and inflammation.

Because each injury and athlete is different, it is always advisable to follow the advice of a medical professional. However, there should be minimal to no pain before the athlete returns to play. full range of motion; return to full force. And, most importantly, being able to safely perform certain activities and meet the demands of the sport.

Sport has many benefits for young athletes. Hopefully, with proper training, reminders and coaching, there will be fewer injuries this year. If you have a student with significant problems, consider referral to the practice of sports medicine for recovery and personal development.

Dr. David Soma, Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine and Sports Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Media Contacts: Rhoda Madson, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu