Protecting Student Athletes from Common Injuries: Certified Athletic Trainers Share What Parents Should Know
Watching your child succeed in sports, celebrate victories and create memories that last a lifetime is one of the great joys of parenting. With these moments of joy comes a responsibility that many parents may not fully understand: learning how to help protect their child from injuries that could end a season.
Certified athletic trainers see youth sport injuries on a regular basis. The good news is that many of these injuries are less likely to occur when parents know what to look for and can help instill safe behavior on and off the field to help keep them safe.
To give you the best insight possible, we asked three CaroMont Health certified athletic trainers what you need to know about common sports injuries. Lauren Koontz Clark, Athletic Trainer at Gaston Christian School, Tom Chao, Athletic Trainer at South Point Hight School and Michael Haber, Athletic Trainer at East Gaston High School, bring years of sideline experience from working with student athletes every day. Here's what they want you to know about the most common injuries they see in young athletes.
Lateral Ankle Sprains
“Lateral ankle sprains account for about 15% of all athletic injuries”, states Lauren Koontz Clark, athletic trainer at Gaston Christian School. “This type of injury usually happens when the ankle rolls inward and can occur to any athlete in any sport. However, it tends to be more common for basketball, football and soccer players. Volleyball players, especially those in the middle position, can also be at high risk when landing on a teammate's foot during a jump.”
Warning signs:
- Pain or tenderness on the outside of the ankle
- Swelling or bruising around the ankle joint
- Difficulty putting weight on the ankle or walking
How you can help prevent it:
Prevention starts well before an athlete steps onto the field or court. “Athletic trainers work closely with athletes and coaches to implement balance and strengthening exercises during preseason, in-season and post-season training", says Clark. "Often, the athletic trainer is the first person to diagnose the injury, treat the injury and help prevent another occurrence, making them one of the sole providers in an athlete's plan of care."
Additional preventative measures include ankle braces for extra support during play and pre-game taping sessions with an athletic trainer. If your child has a history of ankle injuries or plays a high-risk sport, consider asking about these options before the season starts.
Soft Tissue Injuries
“Soft tissue injuries like quad or hamstring strains, also known as ‘pulls,’ are commonly seen across all sports,” says Tom Chao, athletic trainer at South Point High School. “Running sports like track, cross country and soccer, as well as sports that involve quick acceleration such as baseball, softball and football, are at the greatest risk. However, these injuries can occur to any athlete in any sport.”
The two biggest causes of these injuries are muscle group imbalances and muscle tightness, which often occur together.
“If one muscle group is stronger than the opposing muscle group, such as the quads being much stronger than the hamstrings, for instance, when a player accelerates, the stronger muscle will pull on the weaker muscle,” Chao said. “If a muscle is too tight, the same thing can happen.”
Warning signs:
- Sudden sharp pain in the thigh while exercising
- Swelling, soreness or tenderness in the affected area
- Difficulty walking, running or bending the leg
How you can help prevent it:
"Prevention is based on three main points: warm-up and cool-down, flexibility and strength training," Chao states.
"A warm-up and cool-down will help reduce the likelihood of this type of injury," explains Chao. "Warming up the muscles before performing makes them more flexible and ready to work. Then cooling down with static stretching will help the muscles remove toxins and return to their pre-performance length, which prevents muscle tightness."
According to Chao, flexibility is the most important factor in preventing injuries. Flexibility allows athletes to work their muscles to their fullest potential and reach optimal length for performance. The more flexible the muscle, the less likely it is to be injured.
“Strength training is an essential part of prevention. The stronger the muscle, the more stress it can withstand before it tears”, says Chao. “By balancing opposing muscles, such as quads and hamstrings, athletes will experience an equal pull from both sides, making it much harder to be injured.”
As a parent, encourage your child to take warmups and cooldowns seriously, prioritize stretching routines and check with your child’s primary care to see if balanced strength training would be a good addition to their workout routine.
Talar Dome Fracture
“A talar dome fracture, also known as an osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT), is a cartilage and bone injury in the top portion of the talus bone in the ankle. This injury usually comes from severe ankle sprains or some form of high-energy trauma, such as a hard landing or direct impact”, says Michael Haber, athletic trainer at East Gaston High School.
Unlike a simple ankle sprain that heals relatively quickly, a talar dome fracture can cause problems that will only get worse if left untreated.
Warning signs:
- Deep ankle pain that has persisted for weeks or months
- Consistent swelling that doesn't seem to improve
- Stiffness, clicking or locking sensation in the ankle
How you can help prevent it:
“To help prevent this injury, you would want to focus on protecting the ankle from severe trauma and addressing any ankle instability early on”, states Haber. “If your child has suffered a significant ankle sprain, complete healing is critical before returning to the track or field. Rushing back too soon may result in the development of a fracture on the talar dome.”
According to Haber, it is highly encouraged to have your child wear proper footwear and ankle support, fully complete rehabilitation after any ankle injury and to seek immediate attention if any type of pain in the ankle persists, even if it seems minor.
A Parent's Role In Keeping Student Athletes Healthy
While certified athletic trainers are an essential resource in maintaining the health of student athletes, your role as a parent is crucial in keeping student athletes healthy. You see your child every day. You notice when they are limping after practice, when they are favoring one leg over the other or pushing through pain they don’t want to admit to their coach.
By being aware of common injuries, watching out for early warning signs and keeping the long-term health of your child in mind, you are doing more than preventing injuries; you are teaching your child that their health is more important than any trophy. With knowledge, you can help ensure that sports remain a positive and healthy part of their life.
Act Before Injury Strikes
Every young athlete is unique, and so are their needs when it comes to injury prevention. Discuss your child’s specific risk factors, training needs and any underlying conditions that may affect their performance or safety with their primary care physician. A conversation today could prevent an injury tomorrow.