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Protective Sports Equipment
December 3, 2008 |
While your child is more likely to get injured playing a contact sport like football
as opposed to a non-contact sport like swimming, all types of sports have the potential
for injury.
“With football and sports like that they can get injured really quickly. It doesn’t
take long or much or very big kids before they can start getting hurt. You want
kids to be able to get out there, participate and play but you want them to do so
in a manner that’s safe and protective for them,” says pediatrician Dr. Stan Wiggins.
Injuries can come from the trauma of contact with other players or from overuse
or misuse of a muscle or body part. Dr. Wiggins
says, “They can start having ligament
injuries and bone injures just because they don’t have all the protection that an
adult male would have. A lot of times they can still have the same amount of impact
and they don’t have the same sort of cushioning.”
That’s one reason why proper protective equipment is a must for young athletes.
“Don’t try to be really tough or think you know I don’t need this. That’s why that
equipment is there, protective equipment, to provide them that safety and that padding
and that protection,” says Dr. Wiggins.
If your child suffers a painful athletic injury it’s important that they see a physician
as soon as possible. Sports and recreational activities contribute to about 21%
of all traumatic brain injuries among American children and teenagers. |
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