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Sep 11
2017

Concussion Prevention in Young Athletes

More and more parents are hesitating when it comes to enrolling their child in fall sports, especially football. With the long term effects of multiple concussions coming to light in media and movies in recent years, traditional sports are getting attention in a way we’ve never seen before. Concussion prevention in young athletes is an important goal for each parent, school and sports program across the country.

While we may not be able to eliminate concussions for our children that play sports, we can help to prevent them by following some smart and basic tips each time our children take the field. Here are several things you can do to help prevent concussions for your young athlete.

Tips For Concussion Prevention in Young Athletes

Make sure equipment, gear and the field, is in optimal condition.

Playing with equipment or protective gear that is out of date or damaged can increase the risk of injury or concussion for your teen athlete. Check their gear and make sure it is functioning as it should.

Be physically and mentally prepared for the sport.

Helping your child mentally prepare for their sport includes teaching them good sportsmanship and showing respect for the game and other players. Being respectful can head off injuries such as purposeful helmet-to-helmet contact. Being physically prepared for the sport through conditioning and training will help your child to avoid physical injury on the field.

Play by the rules and make sure coaches enforce that.

Players that are not willing to play by the rules also risk injuring other players. Make sure a coach or an adult is present at all times and willing to enforce the rules that are in place to help prevent injuries such as concussions.

While there is no guaranteed way to prevent a concussion, being aware of the circumstances under which your child is playing will go a long way in concussion prevention for your young athlete. Playing in less than optimal physical condition can also cause injury and many teens may suffer from overuse injuries in their sport.

For an evaluation or if your athlete has experienced an injury, we are here to help. Contact us today.