• 30
  • April
    2010

There has been an increasingly large amount of coverage focused on injury rates in youth athletics, especially brain injury, in the past several months. Recently, the University of California, San Diego announced that it would be working with sports medicine organizations and professional athletes across the country to promote the STOP Sports Injuries campaign.

The amount of sports injuries being reported among younger athletes is rising. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that high school athletes account for two million injuries, 500,000 doctor visits and upwards of 30,000 hospitalizations - every year.

While the potential for head and brain injury has been the most covered, common injuries also include wrist and elbow injuries, as well as other assorted fractures, sprains and bruises. Many of these injuries, according to CDC officials, are preventable.

Most occur due to a simple lack of injury prevention, such as stretching, as well as stress from overuse. In the case of concussions, the real danger lies in young athletes who return to the game too soon, risking the possibility of a second hit and subsequent brain injury.

The STOP campaign will work to educate both parents and young athletes, as well as coaches, athletic trainers and health care professionals about youth sports injuries. In addition to building awareness, STOP members will offer advice on preventing injuries and responding appropriately when they do occur.

The STOP Sports Injuries website offers a bevy of resources, tips and more for those seeking information about preventing sports injuries in youth athletics.

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