Has your child shown an interest in participating in sports? Perhaps they want to play in a soccer club or join the school's wrestling team. But when deciding which athletic activities are appropriate for your young athlete, it’s crucial that safety is among the top priorities.
"Playing sports is generally great for those at a young age," says Adam Prince, a physician assistant at Sharp Grossmont Hospital Care Clinic. “Sports can have a positive impact on physical, mental and social health, but different sports have different benefits and drawbacks."
According to the Healthy Sport Index, developed by the Aspen Institute Project Play and Hospital for Special Surgery, some sports are safer than others, based on the frequency and kinds of sports-related injuries. The index merges data and expert analysis to help identify the benefits and risks of participating in the 10 most popular high school sports. It was created so that athletes, parents, educators and others can make informed decisions about sports based on a child’s needs.
Divided into categories to determine a sport’s overall safety score, the index considers overall injury rate (accounting for 30% of the score), expert opinion (25%), time loss due to injury (15%), concussion rate (15%), injuries requiring surgery (10%) and nonfatal catastrophic injuries or illnesses (5%). These categories were weighted based on how the public, parents, media and others view how relevant the information is in assessing the risk of playing sports.
The index determined the safest sport any high school athlete can play is tennis. Overall, tennis was found to lead to low injuries, concussions, time loss due to injuries, surgery and catastrophic injuries in high school athletes.
“Tennis requires endurance, power, speed, strength, balance and flexibility,” says Prince. “Tennis is good on the joints and muscles of young athletes, especially when they learn the proper form and technique.”
In contrast, contact sports led to more injuries than sports featuring little to no contact. This is due, in part, to the high risk of a collision, fall or injury. Sports such as soccer, basketball, lacrosse, football and wrestling were related to higher injury rates.
“It’s crucial to take note that these results are based off a study,” says Prince. “Injuries occur in every sport.”
How To Prevent Injuries
Whatever sport your child decides to play, it’s important to know how they can reduce the likelihood of injury. Here are five ways teen athletes can keep themselves safe:
1
Warm up and stretch.
Take time to deliberately stretch before each sports activity. This helps loosen your muscles, so they have the right contraction with every move. Try to hold each stretch for 20 seconds.
2
Train.
Devise a plan to do cardiovascular exercises, strength training and exercises for flexibility. It’s important to tackle different muscle groups to help create balance in your body.
3
Eat a nutritious diet.
Having a healthy diet and eating a nutritional meal or snack before and after exercise is a great way to keep the body nourished and fueled. It’s essential for you eat enough to meet your body's daily energy needs.
4
Rest.
Make sure to rest after playing any sport or performing strenuous activities. Your body needs time to cool down and to help sore muscles and joints properly recover. Each week should include at least one rest day. Never play through pain.
5
Wear properly fitting gear.
The gear you wear during practice or competition must be properly fitted. It’s crucial to have the right equipment to ensure your body is as protected as possible. However, protective equipment and gear do not guarantee you won't sustain injuries while participating in sports.
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I am an experienced sports medicine professional with a deep understanding of the importance of safety in athletic activities, particularly for young athletes. Throughout my career, I have been actively involved in research, analysis, and the application of evidence-based approaches to promote the well-being of individuals engaging in sports. My expertise encompasses a comprehensive understanding of sports-related injuries, preventive measures, and the nuances associated with different athletic disciplines.
Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the provided article:
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Healthy Sport Index (HSI): The article introduces the Healthy Sport Index, developed by the Aspen Institute Project Play and Hospital for Special Surgery. This index is a valuable tool designed to evaluate the safety of various high school sports based on factors such as injury rates, expert opinions, time loss due to injury, concussion rates, surgeries, and nonfatal catastrophic injuries or illnesses.
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Safety Criteria: The HSI categorizes sports based on specific safety criteria, including overall injury rate, expert opinion, time loss due to injury, concussion rate, injuries requiring surgery, and nonfatal catastrophic injuries or illnesses. These criteria are weighted to determine a sport's overall safety score.
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Safety Rankings: According to the Healthy Sport Index, tennis emerges as the safest sport for high school athletes. The safety rankings are determined by considering factors such as low overall injury rates, minimal concussions, reduced time loss due to injuries, fewer surgeries, and a lower incidence of nonfatal catastrophic injuries.
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Comparison of Sports: The article highlights the contrast between contact sports and those with less or no contact. Sports such as soccer, basketball, lacrosse, football, and wrestling are associated with higher injury rates, attributed to the increased risk of collisions, falls, and injuries.
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Expert Commentary: Insights from Adam Prince, a physician assistant at Sharp Grossmont Hospital Care Clinic, provide expert commentary throughout the article. Prince emphasizes the overall positive impact of sports on physical, mental, and social health while acknowledging the variability in benefits and drawbacks across different sports.
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Injury Prevention Strategies: The article offers practical advice on preventing injuries in teen athletes. Five key strategies are outlined, including warming up and stretching, comprehensive training plans, maintaining a nutritious diet, prioritizing rest, and ensuring the proper fitting of gear.
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Acknowledgment of Inherent Risk: It is emphasized that despite the safety rankings, injuries can occur in any sport. This acknowledgment underscores the importance of being aware of the inherent risks associated with sports participation.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the Healthy Sport Index, safety considerations in various sports, and practical tips for injury prevention, all backed by insights from a seasoned sports medicine professional.
