Kids & sports

Children grow in phases. Depending on what sport they play at what age, these can have a variety of effects on the body.

Bones may grow faster than tendons and ligaments, which can lead to problems with tendons, and inflammation, doctors say. If that’s the case, you should help them reduce the stress right away, says Holger Schmitt, a German doctor specializing in joints. In general, of course, exercise is very important and children should regularly do sports that are suitable for their particular age. However, as soon as they register pain, they should take a break immediately until medics can work out what’s happening.

Kids can also sometimes get into accidents as they are not strong enough to be able to stabilize themselves while playing sports. “That’s something that can be quickly remedied through breaks and proper restorative training,” says Schmitt.

In terms of the likely risks, youngsters of primary school age who fall while they are playing most often break a wrist or ankle. Older kids, around the age of 14, other hand, often have problems with bone growth which can lead to pain when they do sports involving running and jumping. That can cause inflammation of the bone and cartilage in the knee joint. That’s a sign that the leg has been overstrained, causing pain and swelling. Doctors focus on the growth plate, areas of new bone growth in children and teens. These areas of tissue near the ends of long bones in children and teens determine the future length and shape of the mature bone. Growth plates usually grow closed towards the end of puberty, so in girls from 14 to 15 years of age and in boys from 16 to 17 years of age. After that, ligament injuries occur more frequently. —