4 Surprising Causes of Fall Sports Injuries

It's back to school time, and that means fall sports will also be starting back up. Approximately 30 million children and adolescents in the U.S. participate in an organized sport. However, when it comes to sports, there is always an increased risk for injury, and one-third of all childhood injuries are sports-related. Whether it's cheerleading, football, swimming, or tennis, understanding the causes of injuries can help your child take the necessary steps toward prevention. Here are a few causes of sports injuries you may not have considered.

1. Improper or Inadequate Stretching
Stretching before strenuous physical activity is a critical aspect of preventing a sports injury. Proper stretching warms and loosens up your muscles and joints and improves your range of motion. It's also important to recognize the parts of the body that will be used the most and stretch these members accordingly.

2. Sleep Deprivation
Is your athlete getting 8 hours of sleep per night? Sleep gives the muscles, joints, and bones time to recover and helps prevent overuse injuries. A lack of sleep can also negatively impact cognitive and motor skills. With a slower reaction time, an athlete is at a higher risk for injury during play.

3. Poor Diet
Did you know that what your athlete is consuming can play a role in his or her risk for injury? When our bodies are not getting the proper nutrients, our muscles, joints, and bones are in a perpetual weakened state. It's important that athletes eat enough calories throughout the day for energy and ensure that the calories they are consuming come from healthy foods rich in vitamins and minerals such as calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and magnesium.

4. Dehydration
Water makes up nearly 70% of our body, so we need to stay adequately hydrated to keep it functioning properly. Water transports nutrients to your cells, lubricates the joints, and supports muscle strength and control.

Our team of sports medicine specialists are prepared to help if your child sustains a fall sports injury this season. Our Walk-In Ortho Care Clinic is available to you 8 am – 6 pm on weekdays and you can count on our advanced X-ray and MRI machines for quick diagnoses. Injuries are never convenient, but orthopedic care is at MCO!