High-risk situations include faulty or ill-fitting safety gear and equipment, lack of adult supervision, and an unsafe playing environment.
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Detailed information on sports safety for kids, including safety gear and equipment
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A safe cheerleading program has direct adult supervision, proper conditioning, skills training, and warm-up exercises.
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Because children's bodies are still growing and their coordination is still developing, children are more at risk for sports injuries than adults.
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Sports is one of the leading causes of school-age children's eye injuries, but most of those injuries are preventable.
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Mouthguards are important to help protect your child's mouth and teeth from serious injury.
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Children with special needs are sometimes not encouraged to exercise, because their parents or guardians fear they'll be injured. But physical activity is as important for children with special needs as it is for any child.
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It may not always be possible to avoid injury when playing sports, especially physical contact sports. But there are things kids can do to protect themselves. Preparing before and after a game or practice session by warming up muscles and then stretching can help.
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Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that is present at birth. Children with SCD make an abnormal type of hemoglobin. This is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to all parts of the body.
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MRSA most often causes minor skin infections in young athletes, but if untreated, the bacteria may invade the bloodstream and become a life-threatening infection.
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Playing competitive sports can boost self-esteem and teach teamwork and leadership lessons. But sometimes being on a team that focuses too heavily on performance--or appearance--may trigger an eating disorder.
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Kids are more susceptible to sports injuries than adults because they are still growing and developing. The risk for injury is even greater if the child plays a contact sport such as basketball, football, or soccer.
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