Physiotherapists play a role in injury prevention in children and can help to reduce the risk of injury. Most injuries in young people are due to overuse. The more contact there is in sport the greater the risk of traumatic injury. The most frequent types of sports injuries are sprains (injuries to ligaments) strains (injuries to muscles), and stress fractures (injuries to bones). Injury occurs when excessive stress is placed on tendons, joints, bones and muscles.
To reduce the risk of injury:
- Take time off. Plan to have at least 1 day off per week and at least one month off per year from training for a particular sport to allow the body to recover..
- Strengthen muscles. Strength and conditioning exercises strengthens muscles. Often in children using their own body weight is enough
- Increase flexibility. Stretching exercises can increase flexibility and prevent injuries such as shin splints and anterior knee pain.
- Use the proper technique. Use a coach if necessary.
- Do not play through pain.
- Play different sports as each sport uses muscles in a unique way.
Hamstring stretch
Here at Southside physiotherapy clinic we are experienced in dealing with injury prevention in children. We take a full history and examine a child’s flexibility and muscle strength. We then teach that child exercises that will help reduce the risk of injury in the future.