Sports injuries and preventive measures

clude physical therapy, strengthening exercises, and bracing, more serious injuries may also require imaging tests, such as x-ray’s to evaluate the bones and tissues and may also require surgery.

It is also important that athlete/s, parents, and coaches, to understand that depending on the type of injury and required treatment, a young athlete may not be able to return to the game at the same level of play-no matter how much effort is put into rehabilitation.

The same should be understood that injuries must be completely healed before an athlete returns to a sport activity. In case of joint problems for example athletes should not feel pain, no swelling, and have a full range of motion, and normal strength, and for cases of concussion for example, a player must have no symptoms at rest or with exercise and should be cleared by the appropriate medical provider before returning to play.

Injury prevention for young athletes requires specific sport training. Many injuries can be prevented with regular conditioning that begins prior to competitions, as injuries often occur when athletes suddenly increase training duration, intensity, and frequency of activity. Thus, young athletes should gradually increase activity levels to slowly build physical and mental back up to a higher fitness level.