Physical activity is crucial for children and adults alike. Kids tend to have more energy than adults, however, and there are many healthy ways for little ones to get exercise and stay healthy.
Playing sports is one of the more common ways kids productively use their boundless energy.
While a fantastic idea, it is important to stay mindful of the various hazards and challenges that come along with athletic pursuits. Injuries are common in all sports. To keep your little ones safe, you need to consider a few key points.
From purchasing gear like custom athletic socks to educating your children on how to properly prepare for a game, there are many simple ways to reduce the odds of an injury.
Look over these tips and keep your kids safe while on the field.
1. Encourage Regular Exercise
One of the easiest ways for a person to become injured while playing sports is by being out of shape.
For example, playing baseball or softball is a great way to engage and strengthen certain muscle groups. However, a child who doesn’t exercise between games might not be able to hand the demands of the sport.
Someone who is unprepared for the running involved can get a muscle cramp and might be unable to continue playing. Encourage regular exercise at home and this can diminish the odds of an injury.
2. Invest in the Right Gear
There are plenty of different sports out there for kids to play. Whether your little ones are involved in basketball, soccer, hockey, or tennis, you must keep them protected by investing in the right gear.
Playing a sport like a football puts a child’s head in constant peril. The only way to minimize the danger in even the slightest way is by wearing a helmet, pads, and other pieces of gear.
Some gear, like custom athletic socks, provide the important function of keeping the feet dry while also adding a touch of personal style to the mix.
| Read also: 5 Outdoor Activities Which Are Great For Your Kids’ Health (And Doesn’t Cost Much) |
3. Take Breaks Regularly
While most parents have different opinions about the importance of winning, you should never push your child beyond his or her comfort level.
When a kid is constantly pressured to engage in practicing for and playing a sport, he or she is never given a chance to recharge. This makes it more likely for an injury to occur.
Taking a break now and again is a must if you want to keep your little ones safe. Be sure to listen to what your child is telling you and don’t dismiss complaints about being fatigued or in pain.
4. Keep Hydrated
Experts suggest that the average person should be drinking roughly 8 glasses of water per day. Kids are growing, which means they need to stay hydrated in order to feel their best.
This is even more important for children who play sports. The body loses a lot of its retained water through physical activity and environmental conditions like heat.
If your child is playing a sport outdoors on a humid day, dehydration can lead to more serious issues like heatstroke. To avoid this danger, be sure your child drinks plenty of water before, during, and after a game.
5. Reduce Stress
Some coaches and parents can put a lot of pressure on children of a certain age to win games and play hard.
While this can be useful in small doses, constantly adding this demand to kids can create lasting emotional and psychological consequences. The human mind is in a state of development until a person enters his or her early 20s.
This means that putting too much stress on a child or teenager can create the conditions for later behavioral or psychological problems. Reduce stress and encourage healthy coping habits to keep your young ones stable.
6. Recognize a Problem
As a parent, you are responsible for the health and safety of your child. Unfortunately, you must heavily rely on what your kid tells you in order to take action.
When your child isn’t coming forward about pain, you can’t do anything to resolve the problem. Try to be extra mindful of your child’s habits and behaviors when he or she is involved with sports.
If you notice anything unusual, address it directly. Your child could be hiding pain to avoid being benched or because he or she doesn’t recognize it as a sign of a real problem.
7. Respond To the Injury Fast
While you can do your part to reduce the odds of an injury, it is impossible to control everything.
Accidents can and will happen, which means you need to know how to respond. If the problem seems bad or if the injury involves the head in any capacity, seek the advice of a medical professional immediately.
For eye or dental issues, react fast and contact the right specialists to diminish the lasting impact of the injury.
From investing in quality gear like helmets and custom athletic socks to scheduling regular breaks into a weekly routine, there are many steps parents can take to reduce injuries in children who play sports.
A few precautionary moves can keep your kid safe and provide you with the peace of mind you need.
About The Author:
Sarah Grace V. Villaflor is part of the team that maintains Australian Credit Cards, a blog based in Sydney, Australia that wrote about home budgeting tips and personal finance. Before she joined ACC, she was assistant editor-in-chief of Sandigan.
