Don’t Let Sports Lead to Injury. Follow These Tips!

Here at NiteOwl Pediatrics, we know all too well that sports can lead to injuries. Whether a stray baseball catches an unsuspecting knee or a hard tackle in football does damage to a shoulder,  injuries are a common, yet avoidable, consequence of playing sports. Today, we wanted to take some time to go over a few tips that can help your child avoid injury on the playing field, allowing them to continue to play the sports that they love, stay active, and have fun with their friends!

Sport Safety is a Must

Participating in little league is a right of passage for many children. Whether they choose to test their skills at football, soccer, baseball, or a myriad of other sports, it is import that you, as a parent, make sure that they are as safe as possible when participating in these activities. To make sure that your child does not suffer an accidental injury, follow the sports safety tips below.

Preparation Above All Else

Before your child ever sets foot on a field, court, or pitch, make sure that they are healthy enough to participate in physical activities. Taking them to a doctor for a pre-participation physical exam (PPE for short) is an excellent way to ensure that they can safely play sports. Additionally, make sure that your child’s coach has relevant information in case of an emergency (parent phone number, known allergies, doctor information, etc.). A little preparation can go a long way in making sure that your child is as safe as possible in case of an emergency.

Stretch, Stretch, Stretch

Although your child’s coach should stress the importance of stretching before doing any sort of demanding physical activity, you can take it upon yourself to make sure that your child understands the importance of this pre-sport ritual. Injury to ligaments, tendons, and muscles are one of the most common forms of sport injury. Stretching helps to reduce the chance of these types of injuries by making sure that the body is loosened up and ready to go.

Proper Equipment

No matter the sport, proper equipment is a must if you want to make sure that your child is as safe as possible. Before participating in the sport of their choice, make sure that your child has the appropriate equipment (shoes, clothing, pads, shin guards, mouthguard, etc.) and that said equipment is fitted to your child. Protective gear does no good if it slips off at a critical moment

Sports safety is a variable that, for the most part, can be controlled. Taking just a little bit of time to make sure that your child is as safe as possible can go a long way in making sure that they don’t end up at an urgent care facility. If, despite all of your best efforts, a sports injury does occur, please get in touch with us at NiteOwl Pediatrics. We are an after hours pediatric urgent care facility that can handle a wide range of services to help make sure that your child is as happy and healthy as possible.