More American children are competing in athletics than ever before. Places like the Saratoga Springs Rec Center provide a fantastic variety of options, so it is easy to see why Athletics assist children and adolescents in keeping their bodies fit and feeling great about themselves. However, some critical injury prevention tips can help parents promote a secure, optimal experience for your children.
All sports have a risk of injury; however, luckily for the vast majority of youth, sports participation benefits outweigh the dangers, so you have every reason for your children to get outside and enjoy all that Saratoga Springs has to offer. Generally, the more physical contact in a particular sport, the higher the risk of a traumatic injury. However, in most cases, for young athletes, they are a result of overuse.
The most common kinds of sports injuries are sprains (ligaments), strains (muscles), and stress fractures (bones). Injuries occur when you place excess tension on tendons, joints, bones, and muscles. In growing children, point tenderness over a bone should be evaluated further by a health provider, even if there's minimal swelling or limit in motion. Contact us at Advance Sports Orthopedics located here in Saratoga Springs if you've got additional questions or concerns.
To Decrease the risk of injury:
• Take time off. Plan to have at least one day off per week and at least a month away annually out of training for a particular sport to permit the body to recover properly.
• Wear the ideal gear. Players should wear proper and correct athletic protective equipment such as pads (neck, shoulder, elbow, chest, knee, and shin), helmets, mouthpieces, face guards, protective cups, and eyewear. Young athletes must not assume that protective gear will prevent all injuries while performing more harmful or risky pursuits.
• Conditioning workouts helps strengthen muscles used in sporting activities and can be a great prevention tool.
• Increase flexibility. Stretching exercises after practice or games may help increase flexibility. Incorporate stretching into a daily physical fitness program.
• Use the appropriate technique. Reinforce proper form during the playing season.
• Take breaks. Rest intervals during games and practice may reduce injuries and prevent heat illness as temperatures in Saratoga Springs can reach 90 °F or higher.
• Play safe. Enforce strict rules against headfirst sliding (softball and baseball), spearing (football), and checking (hockey).
• Prevent heat illness by drinking plenty of fluids before, during, and after play or exercise; limit or stop competitions or practices during high heat/humidity time, and wear light clothing.
• If kids are jumping on a trampoline, supervision by a responsible adult is critical. It is recommended just one kid on the trampoline at a time; 75 percent of trampoline accidents occur when more than one individual is jumping at one time.
Sports are an excellent way for children to build everlasting friendships and continue to grow, and although they do come with a risk of getting hurt, hopefully, this has given you some tips on preventing injuries. If your child experiences any sports-related injury, trust the team at Advanced Sports Orthopedic, Saratoga Springs, to get you back into the game.

Advanced Orthopedics specializes in helping treat sports injuries in Saratoga Springs