Half of all youth sports injuries are from overuse
We’ve all learned that practice makes perfect—or at least makes for improvement. No matter what skill we want to develop—from playing an instrument, to writing, to throwing a baseball, we aren’t going to get good at something unless we practice.
But too much practice can lead to repetitive use injuries, also called overuse injuries or repetitive motion injuries.
Many of us know the pain of shin splints from walking or running on hard pavement. Some people develop carpel tunnel syndrome from using a keyboard several hours a day. Even hair stylists suffer repetitive strain injuries.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, half of all youth sports injuries are from overuse and they can occur in just about any sport from football and baseball to swimming and golf. Unlike a sprained ankle or broken arm, repetitive use injuries build gradually and while a sprain or break can heal in weeks, an overuse injury can take months to heal.
Kids and teens are at higher risk for overuse injuries because their bones are growing. When they repeat the same movement over and over, the joints, muscles and tendons around their growth plates can become irritated and cause chronic pain.
Not being able to play with their team or practice their skills for a few months can be just as difficult for a child to deal with as the pain caused by the injury. Some overuse injuries have a long-term impact on a child’s physical and mental health.
The best way to approach overuse injuries is to prevent them from happening. Parents and youth coaches should monitor kids so they:
Play one sport per season
Take 1-2 days off during the week
Take breaks from a sport played throughout the year
Cross train
Increase training slowly – 10% per week
There is no short-cut to mastering a skill and moving too fast can cause setbacks. Better to approach it with a slow and steady pace.
Read more
Preventing and Treating Overuse Injuries in Young Athletes by Dr. Kristen Geiger, Pediatric Sports Medicine Specialist, Boulder Medical Center
Overuse Injury Infographic – National Athletic Trainers’ Association
Preventing Overuse Injuries in Young Athletes, Healthy Children.org, American Academy of Pediatrics
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. Statements are based on personal experience, credible news articles and medical resources. My intention is to raise awareness. Please learn more and discuss questions and concerns with your family's physician.