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Sports Injuries In Kids Avoid injuries in young athletes Kids of all ages should engage in physical activity, but they need to be protected against sports-related injuries. “While we think of football as the classic ‘contact’ sport, significant contact also occurs in soccer, baseball, softball, basketball and even volleyball. The proper protective equipment can be very useful in preventing or minimizing injuries,” explains Loren Yamamoto, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., Medical Director, Emergency Department, Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children. No pain, no gain? A common misconception is to play through the pain. But pain means a body part is injured. “Continuing to stress an injured body part makes the injury worse,” says Dr. Yamamoto. “The injury then takes longer to heal, and the risk for permanent complications increases.” A child who complains of pain should exercise a different part of the body. Overuse injuries Repetitive activities, like pitching a ball or serving in tennis or volleyball, can lead to overuse injuries. “Once a little bit of pain occurs, your child should stop that activity and practice something else,” says Dr. Yamamoto. Injury-related pain is different from fatigue-induced pain. Pain from fatigue will subside within a few minutes. Pain that persists or that resumes immediately upon using the sore area again is a sign of injury. Safety baseballs Using softer safety baseballs can reduce baseball injuries. Research shows that these balls are safer and the bounce of the ball is the same as with hard balls on line drives and ground balls. There’s no reason to use hard baseballs in youth leagues. Fluids Playing high-intensity sports such as soccer and basketball for an extended time subjects players to dehydration, fatigue, muscle cramps and heat stroke. Kids need to drink plenty of fluids when they’re active. “Fluids should ideally contain sugar to reduce the rate of glycogen depletion (muscles use glycogen for fuel), sodium to keep up with losses through perspiration, and potassium, which is thought to prevent cramps. Most muscle cramps, however, are due to fatigue,” Dr. Yamamoto says. Head injuries Any hard hit to the head can injure brain cells. Helmets help, but a hard hit to the head can be transmitted through the helmet. Dr. Yamamoto explains, “Symptoms of brain injury include loss of consciousness or blacking out, persistent headache, confusion, vomiting and drowsiness. Most of the time, these symptoms indicate the presence of a concussion” (microscopic brain injury). Bleeding within the brain is of even greater concern and can cause permanent serious damage. The symptoms of early brain injury are the same as those for concussions, but are usually more severe. It is important to identify bleeding in the brain early because surgery may reduce brain damage. The only treatment for concussions is rest to prevent further trauma. Dr. Yamamoto adds, “Taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) for a headache after a head injury is OK, but taking ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or aspirin is not advised — ibuprofen can cause the injured person to bleed more easily.” Sports that inflict repetitive head trauma should be seriously reconsidered. Other than boxing, football and soccer have the greatest risk for repetitive head trauma. “Heading” the ball in soccer can result in a fairly hard blow in high school-age kids. The frequency with which heading is practiced amplifies this risk. Get involved Youth sports are a good way to improve your family bond. Dr. Yamamoto says, “I would encourage all parents to be a coach or assistant coach. Since coaching is similar to parenting, it could even improve your parenting skills.” Loren Yamamoto, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A. >> HEAR FROM THE EXPERT: Sports & Kids Thursday, March 4, 6:30–7:30 p.m. Click here for more information.