Sports Safety
All sports have a risk of injury. In general, the more contact in a sport, the greater the risk of injury. Most injuries occur to ligaments, tendons and muscles. Only about 5 percent of sports injuries involve broken bones. However, the areas where bones grow in children are at more risk of injury during the rapid growth phase of puberty. The most frequent sports injuries are sprains (injuries to ligaments) and strains (injuries to muscles), caused when too much stress is placed on tendons, joints, bones and muscle. As always, call Dr. Mengers' office if you have additional questions or concerns. All sports have a risk of injury. In general, the more contact in a sport, the greater the risk of injury. Most injuries occur to ligaments, tendons and muscles. Only about 5 percent of sports injuries involve broken bones. However, the areas where bones grow in children are at more risk of injury during the rapid growth phase of puberty. The most frequent sports injuries are sprains (injuries to ligaments) and strains (injuries to muscles), caused when too much stress is placed on tendons, joints, bones and muscle. As always, call Dr. Mengers' office if you have additional questions or concerns.
To Reduce Injury:
Wear the right gear. Players should wear appropriate protective equipment such as pads (neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, chest, knee, shin), helmets, mouthpieces, face guards, wrist guards, protective cups, and/or eyewear.
Increase flexibility. Stretching exercises before and after games can increase flexibility.
Strengthen muscles. Conditioning exercises during practice and before games strengthens muscles used in play.
Use the proper technique. This should be reinforced during the playing season.
Take breaks. Rest periods during practice and games can reduce injuries.
Play safe. Strict rules against headfirst sliding (baseball and softball), spearing (football), and body checking (ice hockey) should be enforced.
Stop the activity if there is pain. Avoid heat injury by drinking plenty of fluids before, during and after exercise or play; decrease or stop practices or competitions during high heat/humidity periods; wear light clothing.
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Substance Abuse Watch List for Parents
- Changes in friends
- Negative changes in schoolwork, missing school, or declining grades
- Increased secrecy about possessions or activities
- Use of incense, room deodorant, or perfume to hide smoke or chemical odors
- Subtle changes in conversations with friends, e.g. more secretive, using "coded" language
- Change in clothing choices: new fascination with clothes that highlight drug use
- Increase in borrowing money
- Evidence of drug paraphernalia such as pipes, rolling papers, etc.
- Evidence of use of inhalant products (such as hairspray, nail polish, correction fluid, common household products); Rags and paper bags are sometimes used as accessories
- Bottles of eye drops, which may be used to mask bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils
- New use of mouthwash or breath mints to cover up the smell of alcohol
- Missing prescription drugs especially narcotics and mood stabilizers