Youth sports are becoming more intense and competitive, so it's important for parents and coaches to set healthy limits to prevent injuries in young players. Eric Requa, a sports medicine primary care physician with Virtua Sports Medicine, answers common questions parents and leaders might have:

Who's at risk for overuse injuries?

Children who participate in intense or highly competitive athletic programs, specialize in one sport, play on multiple teams or participate in year-round athletic activities with little or no time off are at a higher risk of developing overuse injuries.

  • Baseball pitchers are especially prone to “throwing” injuries such as Little League shoulder and elbow.
  • Children who participate in running sports such as track, soccer or lacrosse are at an increased risk of shin splints, stress fractures and Osgood-Schlatter disease.
  • Children who participate in gymnastics are at a greater risk of developing stress fractures or injuries to the soft tissues in their wrists, hands and feet.

What can parents do to prevent overuse injuries?

The most important thing parents can do to prevent overuse injuries is to set age- and sport-appropriate limits on athletic activities. During the season, children should have at least 1 “off” day per week to allow their bodies to recover. In addition, parents should make sure that children have at least 2 to 3 consecutive months off from their main sport each year — perhaps by playing a different sport that would help them develop new skills and use different muscles.

It's also important for parents to pay attention to how children are behaving and feeling throughout the season. If your child loses interest for an athletic activity that he or she once enjoyed, experiences extreme fatigue, is unable to recover from workouts or shows signs of depression, he or she may need to take a break.

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How can youth sports organizations help?

Some youth sports organizations have established age-specific guidelines designed to prevent overuse injuries. For example, USA Baseball and Major League Baseball have established guidelines stating that children ages 11 to 12 should throw no more than 85 pitches per game and pitch no more than two games per week. If a child plays on more than one team (for example, school and travel teams), parents should remember that the guidelines apply to overall activity, not just activity on one team.

Participation in youth sports has many benefits, but too much of a good thing can have serious consequences. If your child needs treatment for a sports injury, call 888-VIRTUA-3 to schedule a visit with a Virtua sports medicine specialist.

And remember, this spring as your family might become more active or spend more time outside, Virtua Urgent Care has eight convenient locations and is great for handling:

  • Cold/flu
  • Stomach virus
  • Sore throat or strep
  • Pink eye or earache
  • Urinary tract infection (UTI)
  • Minor burns and bug bites
  • Minor injuries like sprains, strains and fractures

X-rays are available on-site, and you can walk-in or reserve a spot. Click here to learn more.

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