It is estimated that more than 30 million children and teens across the United States participate in some form of organized sports; and, as this number increases, so does the number of sports-related injuries among youth participants, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC reported that 3.5 million young athletes are injured each year, and more than 2.6 million of them end up with injuries that send them to the emergency room.ìAs children are becoming more active in higher level sports at younger ages, itís becoming more of a problem,î said Dr. John Polousky, surgical director for the Rocky Mountain Youth Sports Medicine Institute in Denver.According to the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Childrenís website, ìFootball is among the most dangerous of sports, landing 920,000 kids in the emergency room or doctorís office with concussions, ankle sprains, back injuries and heat stroke. Baseball has seen a major increase in serious shoulder and elbow injuries; young female soccer players are up to six times more prone to torn anterior cruciate ligaments than their male counterparts; and cheerleading is reported to rank near the top, accounting for half the catastrophic accidents, leading to death or serious injury among female youth athletes.îDarren Gallagher, director of coaching for Rush Pikes Peak Soccer Club in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has witnessed a number of athletic injuries through the years. ìMost youth sports are now recognizing the seriousness of injuries and are making adjustments accordingly,î Gallagher said. ìAthletes are getting bigger, stronger, faster, and the game speed (play to play) has increased. Rules have become more restricted to physical play.î He also said kids are playing more than one sport, often resulting in overuse injuries, which include types of muscle or joint injuries caused by repetitive trauma. Jay Hahn, part-time athletic director for Falcon School District 49, also talked about a new generation of faster, stronger athletes, which is akin to sports-related injuries. Hahn said athletes are training harder and increasingly pushing themselves. ìInjuries are going to happen, but as we become more cognizant of the types of injuries, it is extremely important to have a good system in place and to make sure protocols are being followed to mitigate the number of injuries we see,î Hahn said.Aside from following the guidelines set forth by the Colorado High School Athletic Association, Hahn said D 49 is ìunique in their approachî in working with young athletes. There is a team beyond the team: a team that consists of CPR-certified coaches, certified athletic trainers and school nurses, he said. The coaches and trainers teach the athletes about healthy living, nutrition and proper training techniques, and they do their best to discourage unhealthy habits that can put the athletes at risk for injuries. ìTaking extra preventative measures are very important, as well,î Hahn said. ìFor example, letís look at football: concussions are a major issue. Even though the life of a helmet is five to 10 years, we get ours replaced every year.îIf a player is hurt, Hahn said they have a set protocol for evaluating injuries and a specific protocol for evaluating concussions. ìThere are several tests, including a baseline test and a sideline test, and following these protocols help determine the athleteís return to play and their return-to-learn capabilities,î Hahn said. CHSAA, the governing body of high school athletics for the state of Colorado is part of a larger organization: the National Federation of State High School Associations. ìThrough research conducted in Colorado, the organization is able to provide high school stats based on nationwide trends,î said Bert Borgmann, CHSAA assistant commissioner. He said each state has their own governing body that mandates the rules and regulations for play, conduct and sportsmanship; and there are penalties that include ineligibility if the rules are not followed. Borgmann said there is more awareness today about how to identify and report injuries. ìThe old way was to just play through an injury, and it might have gone unreported; whereas, we are much more educated today,î he said. For any athlete, there are significant factors to consider: the importance of proper gear that is in good working condition, hydration, adequate training, proper training techniques, and giving the body the rest it needs. Gallagher and Hahn both agree that as this new generation of athletes emerges, it is important to evolve with them and make sure their needs are met in an attempt to prevent as many injuries as possible.
