An estimated 3 million children experience sport-related or recreation-related injuries each year, according to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation, a non-profit education organization. 

            These “overuse” injuries, including broken bones, sprains, strains, brain and eye injuries, are skyrocketing among the 20 million children and teenagers who participate in competitive sports each year. 

            Overuse injuries are not caused by a single twist or blow, but by an accumulation of repetitive microtraumas.  Children become especially vulnerable to overuse injuries because of the softness of their growing bones and the relative tightness of their ligaments and tendons during growth spurt.

            According to Lyle Micheli, and orthopedic surgeon at Children’s Hospital in Boston, “80% of the young athletes that come into my clinic are suffering from overuse injuries.”

            Micheli said most injuries are Little League elbow, runner’s knee and gymnast’s back.  “Until recently, runner’s knee was unheard of in kids, but now it’s the number one diagnosis in my practice.”

            In addition to repetitive drills, practicing for hours and early specialization, these injuries are also caused by improper footwear, changes in playing or running surfaces, lack of fitness, obesity and anatomical malalignments – But, mainly due to the increase in intensity, duration or frequency of training. 

            Athletes should avoid sudden increases in the intensity, duration, frequency or distance and Micheli recommends never increasing more that 10% a week. 

SOURCE: “Kids’ bodies break down at play,”  USA Today, November 6,2000

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