Your Child's Health - Archive

Also in this issue: Video: Potty Training Spring is Coming and So Is Allergy Season More Thin Kids Say They Are Overweight Getting a Good Night’s Rest Drop That Swab: New Guidelines Introduced for Earwax Removal NEWSLETTER HOME PAGE		Focusing Too Much on One Sport Risks Injury A mix of sports gives the body time to bounce back Severe injuries are on the rise in young athletes, studies show, and a year-round focus on a single sport bears part of the blame. "Intense, full-time efforts in one sport can lead to a lot of the overuse injuries in these children," says Dr. Philip Wilson, an orthopedic specialist at Children’s and assistant professor of Orthopedic Surgery at UT Southwestern. "This is damage we used to never see until they were late in high school or even college." Young athletes are still growing. That means they face a higher risk of harm than adults. Research shared at the 2007 meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons found sports injuries lead to two out of five emergency room visits by children ages 5 to 14. Other findings: Some students not yet in high school now hurt their shoulders so badly they need surgery once reserved for older athletes. Injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are now seen in younger children. The ACL links the upper and lower leg bones at the front of the knee. Arm injuries are way up in young pitchers. Experts blame a poor throwing motion. Why is year-round play at fault? "We’re not seeing the selective stress distributed about their body like we used to see in childhood athletes, where they played baseball for fun one month and the next month was basketball and next season was football," Dr. Wilson says. Experts say players, parents and coaches must heed the needs of growing bodies. Training should match the child’s stage of growth. "Stress would be placed in different areas of the child’s body, allowing time for recovery," Dr. Wilson says. "There is widespread overtraining of children." Having a 12-year-old doing strength training is working against the child’s natural development. That is an age for working on coordination and speed, which are best improved by a variety of activities rather than one specialized activity. "A strict routine of training while young thwarts creativity," Dr. Wilson says. "For the 5- to 12-year-old, free play is essential for stimulating creativity." Resources Safety and Injury Prevention American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Last reviewed: March 2009		Find a Speciality & Service Request an Appointment Support Children's About Children's childrens.com
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