California Athletic Trainers’ Association (CATA) Says Kids Are Playing Sports Too Often, Too Soon
SAN DIEGO (July 7, 2007)
Practice makes perfect, right? Not so, warns the California Athletic Trainers’ Association (CATA). Due to the growth in more competitive year-round sports, kids today are winding up with overuse injuries that were virtually non-existent in young athletes in the past.
“What we have is an overzealous youth sports culture,” said Mike West, certified athletic trainer and CATA governmental affairs chair. “Kids are chasing the glory of college scholarships and professional careers by playing harder, faster and longer at a younger age. Their bodies are still developing, and such repetitive play will only leave them at risk for injury.”
The National Federation of High Schools reports that sports participation among boys and girls has increased more than 37 percent in the past 20 years. With this increase comes the potential for overuse injuries, such as knee problems, stress fractures, tendonitis, bursitis, growth plate injuries, and Little League elbow (damage to the elbow joint) – all caused from prolonged, repeated motion or impact.
In May 2007, Little League International established a limit on the number of pitches players ages seven to 18 can throw in a game due to a rise in the number of shoulder injuries kids were sustaining by playing for long periods of time.
Former San Diego Padre and 2007 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, Tony Gwynn, remembers his less injury-prone youth baseball days.
“The year-round leagues, clubs and travel teams of today didn’t exist when I was a kid,” recalls Gwynn. “Now, young players are experiencing injuries that professional athletes would suffer, potentially ruining their chances to play in college or eventually on pro teams.”
The CATA offers tips to safeguard young athletes from overuse injuries to save their bodies for future play:
- Play at the right age. Kids should be put into age-appropriate sports. The CATA recommends kids start playing organized sports no earlier than six years old.
- Warm-up, cool-down. Every practice regimen should include a proper five minute warm-up and cool-down to keep muscles warm and flexible to prevent injury.
- Wear appropriate gear. Make sure kids wear sports gear that fits correctly and isn’t worn-out. For example, shoes should be changed regularly to provide appropriate cushion for feet and ankles.
- Drink to prevent heat illnesses. With summer at its peak it is especially important for athletes to stay hydrated to prevent muscle cramps and fatigue that can hinder performance. More importantly, dehydration can become life-threatening if left untreated.
- Cross train. The CATA suggests young athletes play multiple sports in a year to give their muscles and joints a break from playing the same sport repetitively. However, kids should not participate in more than one sport at one time.
- Don’t ignore pain. Kids need to listen to their bodies. If they feel pain, they should stop immediately before the problem gets worse.
- Rest, rest, rest. It is important to take care of injuries as soon as they happen. Many overuse injuries, if caught early, can be healed with rest and time off from the sport.
- Get annual physicals. Young athletes should receive a pre-season physical every year to detect any potential or existing overuse injuries, along with any other health issues. This is also an ideal time to begin injury prevention education programs.
- Presence of on-site, qualified personnel. Kids should be coached by qualified personnel, and a certified athletic trainer should be on-site during school or other organized sports. As physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists, athletic trainers can offer a range of services, including injury prevention, immediate evaluation and treatment, and rehabilitation to reduce the risk of serious injuries, as well as re-injury.
“Team sports are still a great way for kids to stay fit and learn self-discipline,” said West. “However, the key to keeping young athletes injury-free is moderation.”
About the California Athletic Trainers Association (CATA):
Athletic trainers are health care professionals who specialize in the provision of physical medicine and rehabilitation services, serving as physician extenders in the prevention, assessment and treatment of acute and chronic injuries and illnesses. The California Athletic Trainers Association (http://www.cata-usa.org) represents and supports 2,200 members of the athletic training profession through communication and education.
In April 2007, the CATA introduced SB 284– legislation calling for the regulation of athletic trainers in the state of California. Currently, California is one of only four states without a system of checks and balances to regulate the athletic training profession, meaning anyone can label him/herself an athletic trainer without holding the proper credentials – leaving athletes at risk for injury or worse, disability. The Athletic Trainer bill is currently on the Assembly floor awaiting approval before it arrives on the Governor’s desk.
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