Being physically fit is important. Not only does staying active help you manage weight, but it can improve brain health, reduce the risk of disease, and strengthen bones and muscles. Perhaps the most popular way of engaging in physical activity, sports, allows us to achieve these goals through competition. Though it may seem like all fun and games, sports injuries are responsible for a third of all childhood injuries. Some sports are inherently more dangerous than others, but with any sport comes the risk of injury. Here are the top five most dangerous sports for children.
Football
It probably won’t come as a surprise to hear that contact sports lead to more injuries than any other category. Football, being one of the most contact-heavy sports, has the highest number of injuries here in the United States. According to a study done by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, nearly 215,000 children ages 5-14 were treated in hospitals or emergency rooms for football-related injuries.
Basketball
Though basketball does not promote nearly as much player-on-player contact as football, it is responsible for the second most child-related injuries in the states. According to the same study, nearly 170,000 children between the ages of 5 and 14 were injured playing basketball. It is important to keep in mind that the most common sports-related injuries are sprains and strains. Basketball is known for being extremely demanding on the ankles, resulting in countless sprains. Thankfully, the chances of sustaining a severe head injury are much lower in basketball than in football or soccer.
Baseball
While the low contact rate and slower pace of the game may trick some into thinking baseball is safe, it is responsible for the highest fatality rate of any of the other sports on this list. Among kids ages 5-14, roughly 110,000 of them end up hospitalized and 3-4 kids die from baseball-related injuries every year. Warming up and wearing properly fitted safety gear are the two best ways to reduce these injuries.
Soccer
Though player-on-player contact might not be as high in soccer as in football, it still happens. With roughly 88,000 children going to the hospital every year, it is safe to say that just because you can’t use your hands doesn’t mean you won’t get hurt. Head-related injuries are more common in soccer too. Jumping to hit the ball with your head can leave you with quite the headache, but missing the ball and hitting someone else’s head will do you far worse.
Find Pediatric Physical Therapy Near you
If your child has sustained an injury from sports, don’t hesitate to seek treatment. Here at Excellence Rehab and Physical Therapy, we are dedicated to getting our patients back in the game as soon as possible. Our health care professionals know the best ways to promote healing and reduce the risk of injury, so your star player can stay in the game longer. If you would like to learn more about our sports rehab for children, or to schedule an appointment, contact us today.