Businesses

Articles

Home Auto Family Finance Health & Beauty House & Home Insurance Legal Pets Professional Services School & Work Seasonal Shopping & Fun Sports & Fitness Vacations & Travel
Top 10 Tips for Kids to Avoid Sports Concussions

Top 10 Tips for Kids to Avoid Sports Concussions

Share with friends

×

Research has shown time and time again what a positive impact youth sports have on today’s children. Playing on sports teams keeps young kids active, teaches them critical communication and cooperation skills, and is just plain fun. Youth sports are also a main cause of childhood injury, and particularly head injury, or concussions. Fortunately, with some good coaching and parental direction, this can mostly be avoided. Here are 10 tips for helping your child avoid sport-related concussions.

  1. Teach them the fundamentals: One of the best ways for kids to avoid sports-related concussions is to teach them the fundamentals of the sport they are playing. Mastering the techniques specific to a sport can teach kids the importance of balance and form while encouraging safe play on the field.
  2. Emphasize safety: Avoiding sports-related concussions is a matter of safety and this means playing with a sense of safety at all times and knowing when to take a chance and when not to. It also means knowing how to play intelligently and be under control at all times.
  3. Provide the proper equipment: Wearing the right equipment can mean the difference between a minor and a major head injury in many youth sports. Both football and hockey require helmets (baseball players at bat do as well) to be worn for this very reason. Helmets need to be correctly sized, fit, and of high-quality to provide the necessary amount of head protection and help young athletes avoid concussions.
  4. Build up neck muscles: Did you know that building the “budding” muscles of the neck can help a young child athlete avoid a concussion? In fact, multiple studies support this. It seems that teaching a young soccer, hockey, or football player to do neck rolls can help build up the back, side, and front neck muscles, making them stronger and making the head less vulnerable to injury.
  5. Encourage conditioning: An athlete of any age who is in good physical condition is far less likely to get injured playing sports than one who is not. Cardio work like light running, jumping jacks, and jump rope, and core work like sit-ups are a great way to get your young athlete into shape, which can translate into fewer serious injuries (including those involving the head).
  6. Review the rules of play: The rules of play in youth sports are very important. Game rules are put in place and enforced not only to define infractions and ensure good sportsmanship but also to keep young players safe from injuries and concussions.
  7. Get educated: Concussion education is the responsibility of both parent and coach, and can his help minimize the incidence of concussions. Indeed, concussion education needs to be a part of every young athlete’s curriculum.
  8. Promote good nutrition: Believe it or not, proper diet and nutrition has been linked to concussion reduction. A finding of from a University of Minnesota study (and backed by other schools like USC, Fordham, and Princeton) has drawn a link to nutrition and injury, as proper nutrition equals a stronger more agile and better performing body, which means fewer overall injuries including head injuries.
  9. Insist on proper hydration: Hydration is important, but it is especially important for young child athletes who wish to perform at the top of their game. In fact, a recent University of Windsor, Experiment Biology 2014 conference (which included the findings of over 10,000 scientists) showed that there is in fact a relationship between dehydration and concussions.
  10. Listen to your child: Parent as well as coaches need to be sensitive to a young athlete’s needs, especially if he or she complains about headaches or nausea after a hit to the head. It is an unfortunate fact that many head injuries go undiagnosed. And players who have already had a concussion are more than twice as likely to get another, making them more vulnerable to brain damage. A good parent or coach needs to look for the warning signs (headaches, nausea, bloody nose, fatigue, ringing in the ears, dizziness, or sleepiness) and then take appropriate action.

 

Youth sports are as fun for the parent to watch as for the child to play. But safety should always come first. By following the above tips, you can help to protect your child and many his or her sports experience as rich and as enjoyable as possible.

This article was written for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. If your child has suffered a concussion, it’s important that you speak to your pediatrician as soon as possible.

Share with friends

×