You tell your son or daughter to join a sports team in order to stay active and healthy without giving it a second thought. Sports teams are a great way for your child to get fit, but unfortunately there are hazards to playing sports as well.
Children in the United States suffer around 3.5 million sports-related injuries annually, with one out of four of those injuries being considered serious. Although these figures are daunting, parents can keep their kids safe by following several guidelines:
- Make sure your child has all the proper safety equipment necessary for the sport. The leading injury producer for female team sports was soccer, followed by volleyball and basketball, with most injuries happening to the lower extremities. Make sure your child has shin guards, knee pads, or other protective padding.
- Talk to coaches and athletic trainers to make sure your child is in safe hands. Of course there are sports where injuries are somewhat unavoidable, such as football, but proper injury-response can keep your child’s injury from being worse than it originally was.
- Know the dangers of your child’s sport. Surprisingly, or perhaps not surprisingly, cheerleading is a leading sport for causing injuries. Even non-contact sports can be hazardous, such as volleyball or tennis. Be prepared for injuries from any sport with a reliable Wisconsin health insurance plan.
Staying fit is important for children, especially with childhood obesity on the rise. Although it may be nerve-wracking to watch your child play football or soccer, proper preparation can keep them safe while they get healthy.
-Sam