Sports Physicals and Athletic Safety

Playing sports offers children and teens many benefits. In addition to staying physically active, young athletes can develop new skills, build confidence, learn teamwork, and have fun. However, sports also come with a risk of injuries, particularly when children train too intensely or don't give their growing bodies enough time to recover. Starting the season with a sports physical and encouraging healthy athletic habits can help keep your child safely in the game.

Schedule a Sports Physical Before the Season

A sports physical, also known as the Preparticipation Physical Evaluation (PPE), helps determine whether your child can safely participate in sports and other physically demanding activities. The sports physical is incorporated into your child's routine well visit and should ideally be scheduled at least 6 to 8 weeks before the season starts so there's enough time to address any concerns that may be discovered.

Before the appointment, make sure to complete your child's health history thoroughly, including information about family and heart health that you have. During the physical, your pediatrician can evaluate concerns related to heart health, previous injuries or concussions, mental health, nutrition, and other factors that may affect safe participation. Because your pediatrician knows your child's medical history and maintains their health records, it is recommended to visit them rather than relying on mass sports physicals or urgent care clinics whenever possible.

Help Prevent Overuse Injuries

Sports injuries don't only happen because of a sudden fall or collision. Overuse injuries can develop gradually when repeated activity puts more stress on the body than it has time to recover from. Encourage your child to participate in different age-appropriate activities rather than specializing in a single sport too early. Young athletes should have regular opportunities to rest. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that kids do not train or compete more than 5 to 6 days per week and take at least 2 to 3 months away from a particular sport during the year.

Training should increase gradually rather than suddenly becoming intense. Adequate sleep and nutrition are also essential for helping young bodies recover. Most importantly, teach your child not to play through persistent pain. Pain during or after sports can be an early sign of an overuse injury and shouldn't be ignored.

Practice Safety During Games and Practices

Proper equipment can also reduce the risk of many injuries. Depending on the sport, this may include properly fitted helmets, pads, mouth guards, face protection, protective cups, or eyewear. Protective equipment doesn't prevent every injury, so it's important to follow the rules and use proper techniques. Children should strengthen the muscles used in their sport, incorporate stretching to improve flexibility, and learn the correct techniques for their activities. Breaks during practices and games are essential as well. Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids before, during, and after physical activity, and use extra caution when exercising in hot or humid weather.

If your child develops pain during an activity, they should stop rather than continue exercising through it. Point tenderness over a bone in a growing child should be evaluated by a healthcare provider, even if there isn't significant swelling or difficulty moving.

Talk About Performance-Enhancing Supplements

As children become more competitive in sports, they may hear about supplements that promise to help them become stronger, faster, or better athletes. However, performance-enhancing supplements aren't a substitute for healthy training.

The AAP emphasizes that the best ways for young athletes to improve performance are through good nutrition, appropriate training, conditioning, and adequate rest. Have open conversations with your kids about supplements and the messages they may receive from teammates, coaches, ads, social media, or other sources. If your child is considering taking a supplement, talk with your pediatrician first.

Keep Sports Positive

Physical safety isn't the only consideration for young athletes. Pressure to win can create emotional stress too. Encourage your child by focusing on effort, improvement, hard work, and good sportsmanship rather than winning or losing. Sports should ultimately help children enjoy physical activity and develop skills they can carry throughout their lives. With appropriate medical care, sufficient recovery time, safe training habits, and support from parents and coaches, young athletes can experience the many benefits of sports while reducing their risk of injury.

If your child plans to participate in a sport or physical activity, call our office to schedule their well-check visit and sports physical. We're here to help your young athlete have a safe, healthy, and fun season.