Sports Safety - Prevention
Safety gear and equipment:Safety gear should be sport-specific and may include such
items as goggles, mouthguards, shin-elbow-knee pads, and helmets. The safety gear worn by a child should fit
properly. In addition, sports equipment (such as bats, baskets, and
goals) should be in good working condition and any damage should be
repaired or replaced. The playing area should be free from debris and
water.
Physical checkup:To make sure your child is physically fit to participate in a
particular sport, your child's physician should conduct a "sports
physical." These physicals can reveal your child's physical
strengths and weaknesses and help determine which sports are
appropriate. Most sports physicals for children include a health examination
that measures height, weight, and vital signs, as well as check eyes,
nose, ears, chest, and abdomen. In addition, your child's physician may
perform an orthopaedic examination to check joints, bones, and muscles.
Age:Starting a child in sports too young will not benefit the
child physically. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that
children begin participating in team sports at age 6, when they better
understand the concept of teamwork. However, no two children are alike,
and some may not be ready physically or psychologically to take part in
a team sport even at age 6. A parent should base his/her decision on
whether to allow the child to take part in a particular sport based on
the following:
-
age
-
weight
-
build
-
physical
development
-
emotional
development
-
child's
interest in the sport
Note: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends
that late-developing teens avoid contact sports until their bodies have
developmentally "caught up" to their peers' bodies.
The importance of hydration:As your child participates in sports, he/she will sweat.
This sweat must be replaced with equal amounts of fluids, usually 1 to 1
1/2 liters per hour of intense sports activity. Your child should drink
fluids before, during, and after each practice or game. To avoid stomach
cramps from drinking large amounts of fluids at once, encourage your
child to drink about one cup of water (or a type of sports drink) every 15 to 20 minutes. Drinks to avoid include those with
carbonation and caffeine.
The following are the most common symptoms of
dehydration. However, each child may experience symptoms
differently. Symptoms may include:
-
thirstiness
-
weakness
-
headache
-
dark-colored
urine
-
slight
weight loss
If your child exhibits signs of dehydration, make
sure he/she receives fluids immediately, as well as a snack. The
symptoms of dehydration may resemble other medical conditions or
problems. Consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.
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