 | Sports Safety |
Participating in sports is great for teens both physically and psychologically. Sports can increase an adolescent's physical coordination, fitness, and self-esteem. In addition, sports can teach teens about teamwork and self-discipline.
However, because an adolescent's body is still growing and his/her coordination is still developing, adolescents are more susceptible to sports injuries. Approximately 3.5 million adolescents ages 14 and under are treated for sports-related injuries each year. Half of all of those injuries can be prevented with proper use of safety gear, changes to the playing environment, and the establishment of sports rules that help prevent injuries.
Most childhood sports injuries occur due to the following factors:
- lack of education and awareness about safety precautions and potential injury
- inappropriate or lack of safety equipment
- improperly conditioned children
The following are safety precautions recommended to prevent sports injuries in children and adolescents:
- Appropriate safety gear and equipment should always be worn.
- The playing environment should be safe.
- The sport should be properly practiced with adolescents of similar size, skill level, and physical and emotional maturity.
- Children and adolescents should be fit and mentally prepared.
- Children and adolescents practicing a sport should be supervised by an adult who enforces the safety rules.
- Children and adolescents should stay hydrated during and after sports.
There are many different sports-related injuries that require clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview.
If you cannot find the information in which you are interested, please visit the Adolescent Medicine Online Resources page in this Web site for an Internet/World Wide Web address that may contain additional information on that topic.
Sports Injuries Statistics
Sprains and Strains
Tennis Elbow
Mouthguards
Heat-Related Illnesses (Heat Cramps, Heat Exhaustion, Heat Stroke)
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The information on this Web page is provided for educational purposes. You understand and agree that this information is not intended to be, and should not be used as, a substitute for medical treatment by a health care professional. You agree that Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital is not making a diagnosis of your condition or a recommendation about the course of treatment for your particular circumstances through the use of this Web page. You agree to be solely responsible for your use of this Web page and the information contained on this page. Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and information providers shall not be liable for any damages you may suffer or cause through your use of this page even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
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Lucile Packard Children's Hospital is located in Palo Alto, adjacent to Stanford University Hospital, approximately 20 miles north of San Jose, CA and 40 miles south of San Francisco.
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital
725 Welch Road
Palo Alto, California 94304
(650) 497-8000
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