If a specialized athlete dislocates a joint or tears a ligament, it makes the news. But a person who plays sports can be injured. Three groups-children and adolescents, middleaged athletes, and women-are particularly at risk.
Children and Adolescents
While playing sports can develop children's fitness, self-esteem, coordination, and self-discipline, it can also put them at risk for sports injuries: some minor, some serious, and still others that may result in lifelong medical problems.
Young athletes are not small adults. Their bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments are still growing and that makes them new prone to injury. Growth plates-the areas of rising cartilage where bone growth occurs in growing children are weaker than the nearby ligaments and tendons. As a result, what is often a contusion or sprain in an adult can be a potentially serious growth-plate injury in a child. Also, a shock that would tear a muscle or ligament in an adult would be far more likely to break a child's bone.
Because young athletes of the same age can differ significantly in size and physical maturity, some may try to perform at levels beyond their ability in order to keep up with their peers.
Contact sports have inherent dangers that put young athletes at particular risk for severe injuries. Even with thorough training and proper safety equipment, youngsters are still at risk for severe injuries to the neck, spinal cord, and growth plates. Evaluating potential sports injuries on the field in very young children can engage its own special issues for concerned parents and coaches.
Children and Adolescents
While playing sports can develop children's fitness, self-esteem, coordination, and self-discipline, it can also put them at risk for sports injuries: some minor, some serious, and still others that may result in lifelong medical problems.
Young athletes are not small adults. Their bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments are still growing and that makes them new prone to injury. Growth plates-the areas of rising cartilage where bone growth occurs in growing children are weaker than the nearby ligaments and tendons. As a result, what is often a contusion or sprain in an adult can be a potentially serious growth-plate injury in a child. Also, a shock that would tear a muscle or ligament in an adult would be far more likely to break a child's bone.
Because young athletes of the same age can differ significantly in size and physical maturity, some may try to perform at levels beyond their ability in order to keep up with their peers.
Contact sports have inherent dangers that put young athletes at particular risk for severe injuries. Even with thorough training and proper safety equipment, youngsters are still at risk for severe injuries to the neck, spinal cord, and growth plates. Evaluating potential sports injuries on the field in very young children can engage its own special issues for concerned parents and coaches.
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