With this post, I wanted to share how, if fitted well, proper equipment can help prevent youth injuries in sports.
Youth sports injuries are a growing harm; in the United States today, there are about 2.6 million U.S. children that are treated per year for sports-related injuries.
There a few things that could ensure your child's safety while playing a sport. One of these is making sure that they have the right equipment. The most common and most critical injuries that occur in youth sports are head and brain-related injuries. Helmets are a good way to help protect kids from getting these brain/head injuries.
Helmets are Necessary
Helmets are important for sports such as football, hockey, baseball, softball, biking, lacrosse, skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, and more. Head injuries are often higher in youth athletes than in adult athletes. Wearing a helmet reduces the risk of head injuries by 75%-85%.
A helmet should always be cared for, fit well, and worn correctly.
How to find the right helmet size? Wrap a tape measure around your forehead then match this size with the corresponding helmet size.
Every helmet should be replaced after an accident.
Wearing a helmet can greatly reduce the risk of getting a head injury but it doesn't
necessarily prevent concussions from occurring.
Eye Protection
Sports participation is the leading cause of eye injuries in teens, but having the proper eye gear can reduce this risk by 90%.
The most protective eye gear is made of polycarbonate and has been tested for sports.
Eye protection should fit and should have cushions above your eyebrows and around your nose.
Guards/Pads
Whether it's a mouthguard, knee, wrist, pads, or elbow guard all of these are important equipment to prevent sports injury. The mouthguard is worn to prevent dental injuries and can either be "one size fits all" or custom-made. Pads can cushion the body from trauma and prevent bruises and bone fractures.
Footwear
Footwear is essential to preventing sports injuries as it can prevent tripping.
Replace shoes/cleats that are worn out.
Get shoes/cleats that fit your foot right and that are durable.
Sport-specific specialists should be consulted when choosing the right footwear.
Having the right equipment is very important, but it is also equally important the equipment fits right.
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