Practical Advice for Parents: Sports

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For many teens, sports activity is one of the most important and satisfying parts of life. The teen years can set the stage for a lifetime of sports involvement.

A wider range of sports are available to young people than ever before. Opportunities for girls to participate in sports have grown significantly. However, taking part in sports also can mean injuries. Many teens may not have the maturity to spot possible hazards. Rapid physical growth can make movement awkward.

Adults can guide teens in making wise choices about sports. Even a teen with a disability or a physical injury can find some type of healthy, character-building sport to enjoy. These simple guidelines will help to steer teens away from the dangers of sports injuries and toward a healthy pattern of sports activity that can last long after the teen years.

Know what your teen is doing. Take time to learn the coach’s philosophy, and consider his or her experience. Compare notes with other parents. Read books and articles on sports safety.
Make your teen responsible for safety. Teach the teen to set limits for physical risk-taking (such as "playing through" a potential injury or attempting a dangerous maneuver) and to stay within those limits even when instructed to exceed them by a coach. Make sure your teen knows that you’ll listen to concerns about his or her coach.
Understand the risks at a sport’s higher levels. If top-level competitors often are injured, consider the risk before entering the sport.
Remember, minor injuries are a natural part of sports. The goal of safe sports activity is to keep minor injuries from becoming long-term problems.
Consider the pluses and minuses of a chosen sport. As an example, a few popular sports are considered in the chart on the following pages.
Play by the rules. Many rules are put in place to prevent serious injuries.
Avoid steroids. Supplements do not improve athletic performance and do not increase muscle size or strength. In fact, young athletes can suffer cramping and dehydration after taking protein supplements. Steer your child away from performance-enhancing vitamins and drugs.
Make sure your teen has regular physical examinations. For high schoolers, this means an exam every two years unless specific health concerns develop.
Make sure your teen is getting proper nutrition.
See a physician promptly when you are worried about a possible injury. Some seemingly minor injuries can be severe. Call your doctor or go to the emergency room if you suspect your teen has had a concussion or other head injury, a neck or back injury or if there is joint pain, especially pain that causes a limp or weakness in an arm or leg.
Go to the emergency room if there is pain that does not respond to over-thecounter medication, severe swelling, a deep cut or if any movement causes severe pain.


Sport	Benefit	Common injuries	Safety equipment
Baseball	Teaches teamwork and eye/hand coordination. Does not require extensive physical conditioning.	Pitchers are prone to elbow and shoulder injuries. Players also can get injured while sliding.	Helmet, gloves.
Basketball	Develops eye/hand coordination and teamwork. Lifelong, year-round activity.	Injuries to knees, ankles and hands.	High-top shoes.
Bicycling	Good cardiovascular conditioning. Lifelong activity.	Head injury (Low risk if helmet is worn).	Fitted helmet.
Football	Builds team spirit, physical strength and fitness. Many options for participation.	Upper and lower extremity, spine and head injuries possible.	Helmet/gear appropriate to position played.
Gymnastics	Teaches dedication and individual achievement. Develops coordination, flexibility and strength.	Injuries from falls and weight-bearing in the upper extremities. Backaches from hyperextension.	Proper instruction, spotter, mats.
Hockey	Good cardiovascular conditioning. Teaches teamwork, eye/hand coordination.	Most injuries are to upper extremities due to checking.	Helmet and gear appropriate to position played.
Lacrosse	Teaches teamwork and eye/hand coordination.	Moderate injury potential.	Helmet/gear appropriate to position played.
Rollerblading	Easy access and appeals to a wide age range and ability.	Most common injuries are scrapes, bruises and sprains.	Helmet, wrist braces, elbow and knee pads.
Skateboarding	Teaches individual achievement. Develops coordination.	Most common injuries are scrapes, bruises and sprains.	Helmet, wrist braces, elbow and knee pads.
Skiing	Appeals to a wide age range.	Moderate injury potential.	Helmet, warm clothing.
Soccer	Appeals to a wide age range.	Most injuries are to lower extremities, especially to knees.	Shin guards.
Swimming	Good total-body workout with low stress to bones and joints.	Shoulder rotator cuff pain due to unnatural arm movement. Swimmers’ knee from breast stroke.	Proper safety/ rescue equipment at pools and lakes.
Tennis	Develops eye/hand coordination. Yearround activity.	Injuries in elbow, wrist or shoulder, occasional stress fractures in bones.	Well-fitting shoes.
Track	Good cardiovascular conditioning.	Watch for pain with activity, especially pain around joints or stress fractures in bones.	Well-fitting shoes.
Volleyball	Promotes communication, teamwork and eye/hand coordination.	Common injuries are to shoulders, forearms, fingers, knees, ankles and hands.	Knee pads.