Summer is peak season for children's organized baseball, basketball, soccer and other sports-and, unfortunately, for sports-related injuries to young bodies and limbs. If you're involved in running any of these activities or have a child who's participating in them, there's an interesting study about sports-related injuries to kids from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) that you might want to consider. Here are some of the highlights:

Kids Are Vulnerable But Think They're Invincible

Kids are more susceptible than adults to suffer injuries while participating in sports. Part of the reason is physical: Children's bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments are still growing. That makes them more vulnerable to fracturing, rupturing and tearing.

But part of children's vulnerability is attitudinal. "Children often believe they're invincible when participating in familiar sports or recreational activities," says James H. Beaty, MD, pediatric orthopedic surgeon and second vice-president of the AAOS. The combination of tender bones and reckless attitudes is a recipe for injury, notes Beaty.

Tips for Preventing Injuries

The AAOS study also lists common sense precautions that adults can take to prevent kids from suffering sports-related injuries:

• Make sure that all kids who participate know and follow the rules of the sport;
• Make kids wear appropriate protective gear, such as shin guards for soccer and helmets for baseball and bike riding;
• Make sure kids know how to use the equipment properly and check it before use;
• Make sure kids warm up properly before engaging in the activity;
• Don't let kids keep playing when they're clearly in pain or extremely tired; and
• On hot days, make sure there are plenty of rest breaks and that kids stay hydrated.

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