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How to Help Your Kids Prevent Football Injuries

How to Help Your Kids Prevent Football Injuries

by | Aug 27, 2024 | Sports Medicine

Even as awareness of concussions and other problems has grown, football remains the most popular sport for adolescent boys. While participation has dropped, Texas still has the most high school football players of any state – totaling more than 170,000. That’s almost double the number of players in California, which has the second largest population of players. It’s no surprise that the sport remains so popular in a state known for “Friday Night Lights.” Yet while rule changes have modified risks, football injuries are still common. Scottish Rite for Children has advice to help your kids avoid some of these common sport injury problems.

Common Injuries in Football

Football has the highest injury rate among school sports. Most youth sports injuries are muscle, joint or bone injuries including:

Other common injuries in football are concussions and heat-related injuries, such as dehydration and exertional heat stroke.

Protective Equipment Is Key

Tackle football players wear pads for a reason. If your child is playing on a team that does not have the resources of a varsity-level squad, make sure they practice with the correct gear including:

  • Properly fitting helmet approved by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment
  • Leg (thigh and knee) pads
  • Mouthguards
  • Cleats that are the correct size and fit
  • Shoulder pads
  • Protective cups

Some players may also wrap their wrists, ankles or knees with tape or bracing. Protective braces (i.e. knee brace or ankle brace) may decrease the risk of injury in some athletes. However, custom outer knee braces have not yet been proven to lower injury outcomes.

Practice Makes (Almost) Perfect

Proper training may also reduce injury risk. While your child’s coach determines what happens at practices, you can help your child learn ways to reduce the risk of football injuries all year long by:

  • Encouraging moderate off-season conditioning. Staying in shape throughout the year with cardiovascular exercise and strength training is great for your child’s health overall and may reduce the risk of injuries when they head back to the field.
  • Getting a physical. A pre-season assessment by your child’s pediatrician or sports medicine specialist can ensure that your child is healthy enough to play and raise any areas of opportunity for addressing musculoskeletal complaints before training begins.
  • Promoting hydration. Not only does proper hydration help prevent heat-related injuries, it’s also important for peak performance and maintaining a proper tackling technique. 

Encouraging your child to play different sports during the offseason can also help prevent overuse injuries while keeping them active and conditioned. Playing multiple sports has been shown to be associated with improved performance and reduced injury risk.

What About Concussions?

Whether your kids are linemen or quarterbacks, concussions are a risk during games and practice. Although some full contact drills have been banned from youth practice to reduce concussion risk, 63% of concussions in high school football players do happen from tackling, even during practice. Helmets do not prevent concussions, regardless if they are the best rated helmets on the market. Delaying tackling until the age of 14 is advised by some, however, there are ways to make the sport safer for young athletes. If your child is playing tackle football, make sure the coaches:

  • Limit tackling during practice.
  • Teach safe tackling tactics.
  • Remove the child from play immediately whenever a concussion is suspected.
  • Always follow established return to play guidelines after a concussion.
  • Have a doctor and/or athletic trainer on the sidelines to evaluate players during games after a possible concussion.

Talk to the Coaches

Coaches are an important part of football injury prevention. Before signing your child up for a league, ask the coaching staff questions to ensure injury prevention is part of their philosophy such as:

  • Do you encourage injured players to keep playing or take time off to recover?
  • If my child has a possible concussion, what is the protocol at the time of the injury and when it is time to return to play?
  • Does your child have their own water available?
  • How do you teach sportsmanship and fair play?
  • What type of tackles and drills do you run during practice?
  • Will practice be rescheduled or held indoors if the weather is extremely hot or severe storms are expected?

Only you can decide if a coach’s temperament and attitude toward the game is the right fit for your child — or if football is even a good option for your family. But with a proactive coaching staff, a supportive home and your sports medicine team at Scottish Rite, you can help limit the risk of a sports injury in football for your child.

Want more advice on preventing or treating football injuries for your child? Call 469-515-7100 to schedule an appointment with one of our sports medicine specialists at Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center.

Do Kids Need Sports Drinks to Stay Hydrated?

Do Kids Need Sports Drinks to Stay Hydrated?

by | Aug 23, 2024 | Sports Medicine

Do Kids Need Sports Drinks to Stay Hydrated?

When your kids are out of school for the summer, you want them to have plenty to do. Day camps, sports leagues and time at the swimming pool are all great ways to keep your kids active (and off their screens). However, if your kids are outdoors in the summer heat, it’s important to ensure they stay hydrated. While sports drinks replace electrolytes lost during physical activity, they may not be the best choice for most children’s hydration. In most instances, water may be just what the doctor ordered.

Why Hydration Matters

The amount of water that makes up the body is usually within the 45-75% range. Getting enough water each day is important for your body to function properly. Drinking water regulates your body temperature, helps with digestion and brain function, and can also help prevent cavities if the water is fluoridated.

We lose water through the course of normal activities, such as breathing, urinating and sweating. During the hotter summer temperatures, drinking fluids helps keep your body from overheating by replenishing what you lose from sweating.

How Much Water Does a Child Need?

Your child’s ideal daily water intake varies depending on their age and activity level. If you’re worried your child isn’t drinking enough plain water, remember they are also getting water in other beverages, such as fruit juice and milk, and in fresh fruits and vegetables at meals.

More About Sports Drinks

Sports drinks do have some benefits. Electrolyte replacement can also be beneficial when your child is sick. However, for kids engaged in normal levels of activity, additional fluid from sports drinks may not be necessary.

Most sports drinks contain high levels of added sugar, which are beneficial for long duration games and activities where food cannot be consumed. Kids and teens not participating in these types of activities likely don’t benefit from a sports drink if they consume water with regular meals and snacks.

Sports drinks and electrolyte replacement drinks can also have high levels of sodium. In short, sports drinks are not the healthiest option for your child to consume on a daily basis, nor are they considered a requirement for adequate rehydration in children and teenagers.

Download this guide on hydration drinks from our Certified Sports Dietitian

Hydration Drinks – Choose Wisely (English)
Hydration Drinks – Choose Wisely (Spanish)

If Your Child Is Picky About Beverages

If your child only likes certain drinks or would always reach for sugary soda if given the chance, you can try different strategies to boost hydration while limiting sugar. Try these tips for staying hydrated:

  • Encourage fruit intake. Most fruits have high water content. Serving fresh fruit, such as watermelon or oranges, at meals and for snacks can improve hydration.
  • Flavor their water. Put fresh fruit or herbs in water to add flavor without calories or sugar. You can also freeze fruit in ice cube trays and toss it in fresh water to cool it down. 
  • Make reusable water bottles special. Have your child decorate water bottles with stickers. Personalized bottles are more fun to use and show off.
  • Pop in some popsicles. Pour fruit puree or a blend of low-fat or sugar-free yogurt and fruit into popsicle molds for a refreshing treat.

Signs of Heat Illness

Hydration is particularly important when exercising in hot and/or humid environments. These can increase the need for replacing carbohydrates and electrolytes with sports drinks. Proper planning and hydration can reduce the risk of consequences from dehydration. A sign of dehydration is being thirsty.

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of heat illness and responding quickly is critical to your child’s health.

  • Weakness
  • Vomiting
  • Excessive thirst
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Sweating
  • Nausea
  • Light-headedness

Preventing heat illness is important for young athletes. You should call your pediatrician or seek emergency care if your child is lethargic, has a high temperature, is vomiting or complains of abdominal pain.

Find more tips for hydration and nutrition from our Certified Sports Dietitian on our sports nutrition page.

Need more advice on keeping active kids healthy? Call 469-515-7100 to schedule an appointment with a Scottish Rite for Children Sports Medicine specialist.

6 Ways to Prevent Heat Illness in Athletes

6 Ways to Prevent Heat Illness in Athletes

by | Aug 1, 2024 | Sports Medicine

Summer is the perfect time for outdoor activities and sports. Whether your child is passionate about baseball, football, soccer or track and field, being proactive about preventing heat-related illness can help him or her focus on athletics. Here are six ways to help prevent or respond to heat illnesses.

1. Know Your Child’s Risk Factors for Heat Illness

All children and teens can develop a heat-related illness. Yet still, some have a higher risk. Young children are not able to regulate their body temperature as well as older children and teens, which makes them more vulnerable to heat. Other risk factors for heat injury include:

  • Being overweight
  • Having certain chronic medical conditions, including diabetes and heart conditions related to sickle cell traits
  • Not getting enough rest between games or practices
  • Overexertion during games or training
  • Recently having diarrhea, fever or vomiting, which can contribute to dehydration
  • Taking certain medications

Children and teens have the highest risk of developing heat illness at the beginning of the summer. Acclimating to exercising in hot weather can take several weeks for a young athlete. A step your child can take during the first five days of summer training is to not practice for more than three hours. Discover more heat acclimation tips for your young athlete by Korey Stringer Institute.

2. Encourage Hydration

Hydration is another key component of preventing heat-related illnesses. The amount of water your child needs depends on his or her activity level, age and body size. The outside temperature and humidity also affect hydration needs. Young athletes typically need more water than less active peers.

Encourage your child or teen to drink water before, during and after practices or competitions. The best drink choice is typically water, but sports drinks with a proper balance of electrolytes and carbohydrates for energy may help children involved in vigorous activities lasting more than an hour.

3. Be WBGT Aware

Being mindful of the temperature outside is one way to help protect your child or teen from heat injury or illness. However, monitoring the temperature is only one factor in preventing heat illnesses. Cloud cover, humidity, the angle of the sun and wind speed can also affect how heat affects the body. The wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) takes all these factors into account to determine whether it is safe for children to participate in outdoor activities like soccer games.

The University Interscholastic League has enhanced guidelines for outside activity by adding the use of WBGT before and during activities in the sun. You can use the WBGT activity guidelines for your region to make decisions, such as how much protective gear an athlete can safely wear during practice, the length of training sessions and the number of rest breaks needed per hour. It also defines rapid cooling zones and supplies to have available when the WBGT readings are above a certain level. A school’s emergency action plan (EAP) includes these and other guidelines for preparation and preventing heat-related emergencies.

4. Keep Kids and Teens Cool During Competition and Training

 In addition to staying hydrated and watching the weather, you can do several things to help kids lower their risk of heat injury and illness: 

  • Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen.
  • Ensure your child has access to a shaded area available for rest.
  • Keep cool towels, fans and misters on the sidelines. 
  • Provide plenty of healthy snacks and water to help young athletes refuel.
  • Request or modify start times for competitions and practices early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid peak sun exposure.
  • Start slowly and gradually build intensity during practices.
  • Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

5. Recognize Signs and Symptoms of Heat Illness and Injury

There are several types of exertional heat-related illnesses and injuries. Some cause mild symptoms, while others are medical emergencies. Knowing what to watch out for can help keep your child or teen safe during summer sports.
After puberty, teens may experience excessive sweating which can lead to heat rash, a type of skin irritation. Heat rash causes clusters of small, red blisters or pimples. Typically, the rash appears in the elbow creases, groin area, neck, upper chest or under the breasts.
When the body loses electrolytes and water faster than it replenishes them, heat-related muscle cramps may occur. In addition to cramping, symptoms include pain or spasms in the abdominal, arm or leg muscles. Heat cramps can be a sign of heat exhaustion.
Heat exhaustion is the most common symptom due to heat-related illness and happens when the body loses a significant amount of electrolytes and water through sweat. While mental functioning remains intact, it is important to recognize and respond quickly to symptoms or signs of heat illness which may include:

  • Clammy, cold or pale skin
  • Dizziness or light-headedness
  • Elevated body temperature
  • Headache
  • Heat cramps
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Tiredness or weakness

Heat exhaustion may lead to heat stroke if not treated. Heat stroke happens when the body temperature rises too high and the body cannot cool itself down. This type of heat illness is a medical emergency. Without immediate cooling and other treatment, heat stroke is life-threatening. Signs and symptoms of heat stroke include:

  • Confusion
  • Extremely high core body temperature
  • Fast, strong pulse
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Seizures
  • Skin that feels excessively sweaty or hot and dry
  • Slurred speech

6. Know How to Respond Early to Heat Illness

Even minor symptoms of a heat injury or illness need your attention. However, the appropriate response depends on the type of heat illness or injury. When a child or teen has signs of any heat-related illness, he or she needs to cool off. Have your child move to a cool place, loosen any tight clothing, wipe down with cool towels and sip water. If symptoms continue or worsen, seek medical attention. If the condition progresses to heat stroke, dial 911 and look for ways to safely, but rapidly, cool the athlete with total body cooling.

To learn more ways to keep young athletes safe, sign up for our sports medicine newsletter to learn the latest news from our experts.

Does my child need surgery to fix an ACL tear?

Does my child need surgery to fix an ACL tear?

by | Jul 30, 2024 | Sports Medicine

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, continue to challenge young athletes, many calling it an epidemic. Because of the high cost of care and loss of playing time, Scottish Rite for Children’s Sports Medicine team is actively looking for answers to prevent these injuries. As we study the conditions that may contribute to the risk with programs like the Sports-specific Assessment and Functional Evaluation (SAFE) program, we also continue to evaluate and contribute to the available evidence for caring for ACL injuries in young athletes.

Medical director of clinical research and pediatric orthopedic surgeon Henry B. Ellis, M.D., led a multicenter team including others from the Scottish Rite Sports Medicine team just published a critical analysis of the literature pertaining to the management of pediatric ACL injuries. The article is available on the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgeries (JBJS) Reviews site.

Here are some key messages you should know when considering surgery for an ACL tear:

» Even though these are happening at a high rate, there is very little published evidence for managing ACL injury in a pediatric or skeletally immature case.

Studies suggest that as many as 3 out of 4 athletes return to play after completing a nonoperative plan of care after ACL injury, but there are times that surgery is necessary. A physical therapist or athletic trainer can guide rehabilitation with a comprehensive exercise program to prepare an athlete to return to competitive sports with an ACL tear.

» This review suggests that surgery for an ACL reconstruction is recommended when another condition is present. These include:

  • Repairable injury to the cartilage, soft tissue that covers the surface of the bone.
  • Repairable injury to the meniscus, a disc between the two major bones in the knee joint.
  • Symptoms of instability even after high quality rehabilitation.

Since both paths for care can be successful and come with some risk, a decision for surgical or nonsurgical approaches to care for a pediatric ACL reconstruction should include a broad team considering many aspects of the circumstances.

Learn more about individualized care for ACL injuries at Scottish Rite for Children.
 

Ellis, H. B., Jr, Zak, T. K., Jamnik, A., Lind, D. R. G., Dabis, J., Losito, M., Wilson, P., & Moatshe, G. (2023). Management of Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries: A Critical Analysis. JBJS reviews, 11(8), 10.2106/JBJS.RVW.22.00223. https://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.RVW.22.00223

Movement Science + Olympic Sprinter = FAST

Movement Science + Olympic Sprinter = FAST

by | Jul 3, 2024 | Sports Medicine

Previously published in Rite Up, 2024 – Issue 2.

New and novel research that focuses on adolescent sprinters is coming off the blocks at Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center in Frisco. FAST, short for Functional Analysis and Speed Training, is a series of data collection clinics led by Sophia Ulman, Ph.D., director of the Movement Science Laboratory. She and her team are partnering with Mechelle Lewis Freeman, USA Track and Field Olympian, Olympic coach and CEO/ Founder of TrackGirlz, a Frisco nonprofit that gives girls access to mentorship and sport through track and field empowerment programs. 

The goal of FAST is to reduce the risk of injury in the adolescent sprinting population. To achieve this, Ulman’s team collects data that measures a sprinter’s mobility, stability, strength and power. “A lot of sprinting data in the research community is in collegiate or Olympic athletes,” Ulman says. “No one has really tapped into sprinting at the adolescent level.” Analyzing this data helps determine the mechanical weaknesses or deficiencies that young sprinters have, which could lead to injuries. Athletes receive their data on report cards that include recommended exercises, or correctives, which sprinters can do to improve their specific areas of weakness. By participating in FAST clinics, young sprinters learn how to move correctly so that they can improve their speed and reduce their risk of injuries. 

On the inaugural day of FAST, Freeman brought middle and high school sprinters from TrackGirlz to participate in a variety of functional tests on the track and in the lab at Scottish Rite. A month prior, she completed the tests herself, providing Olympic-level counsel to help identify the appropriate sprinting metrics. “When watching the girls move, it was interesting to see how the data we measured correlated to what I observed with my eye,” Freeman says. “The data gives you confirmation on weaknesses that need to be addressed, removing the guesswork from their athletic development.” 

Beyond movement, researchers surveyed participants on their nutrition habits, sleep routines and training hours. “We can relate mechanical issues and movement deficiencies to these factors as well, which provides a more holistic message,” Ulman says. 

Once a large dataset is collected, the team aims to answer questions that will determine prevalence. “For example, 98% of sprinters have this mechanical deficiency or have a weakness in power that leads to this injury,” Ulman says. “These overarching data points are extremely helpful and will allow us to better target our interventions for these young athletes.” 

Freeman punctuates the importance of TrackGirlz’ collaboration with Scottish Rite. “Through the expertise of the Movement Science team, we are giving these girls world-class information, education and motivation to perform their best.”

Read the full issue.

Making a Game Plan for a Safe Season – Tips for Parents and Coaches

Making a Game Plan for a Safe Season – Tips for Parents and Coaches

by | Jun 18, 2024 | Sports Medicine

The to-do lists for coaches and sports administrators preparing for sports seasons are long. It’s time to meet new players, evaluate the condition and skills of each player, inform the parents of rules and schedules and get the playbook finalized. What may get overlooked is the emergency plan and training. Pediatric sports medicine physician Shane M. Miller, M.D., who has a background as a firefighter and EMT, offers some safety tips for parents and coaches. “Many organizations have the best of intentions to keep athletes safe, says Dr. Miller. “Preparation and practice can make all the difference in emergencies.”

Miller is passionate about helping athletic trainers and others in sports. He conducts training for several school districts including Frisco ISD and Irving ISD. From handling heat illness to spine injuries, athletic trainers are an invaluable resource on the sidelines. Young athletes may be in settings where athletic trainers are not available, so it’s important for parents and coaches to be aware of safety protocols.

Tips for Parents

  • Take the preseason sports physical process seriously. With an accurate and thorough history and exam, the family doctor can identify conditions that may need special attention before and during the season.
  • Get to know the athletic trainer, if available. From emergency care during sporting events to rehabilitation after injury, these health care professionals are knowledgeable about sport-related injuries.
  • Ensure your team/organization has an emergency action plan. These include protocols for lightning safety, preventing heat related illness and communication plans for all emergency situations.
  • Ensure your child’s equipment fits correctly and is worn properly. Poorly fitting equipment misses the mark for protecting the child in the way it is designed. In some cases, this can even cause an injury.
  • Learn signs and symptoms of problems that put young athletes at risk. No one knows your child better than you do. Learn the signs and symptoms of a concussion, heat illness and overuse injuries. Taking the right steps when you recognize these can make all the difference for your athlete.
  • Check the condition of the field and access to emergency personnel. When arriving at practice or a competition, assess the conditions. Is the field in good condition? Is there an automatic external defibrillator (AED) present and accessible? Is there an ambulance or athletic trainer on-site, or will 911 be used for emergencies?

 
Tips for Coaches

  • Review safety guidelines provided by the league and other reputable national sports organizations. These are designed to keep all participants safe.
  • Know your athletes’ major medical conditions and injuries. Because each athlete is unique, it has become more important to recognize individual needs. For example: An athlete with exercise-induced asthma may require use of an inhaler. For someone with an overuse injury, ignoring activity restrictions can shorten his or her season rather than improve performance.
  • Plan rest and water breaks for all activities, these should be modified when the environment is hot. Learn the signs and symptoms of heat illness and heat exhaustion.
  • Review and practice critical decisions and emergency procedures. Establish a plan for making and communicating decisions about weather conditions from heat and humidity to lightning. Identify what resources are available for first aid at each event and how to respond in various emergencies. In many organizations, this is documented in a comprehensive Emergency Action Plan (EAP).

 
“Teamwork is as important in the game as it is in when it comes to emergencies,” says Miller. “When the game plan is clear, situations can be avoided or handled with the best possible outcomes. Take time to prepare for the upcoming season.”