Sports Injury Prevention Tips

Use of appropriate safety equipment is essential.

• Children should always wear sport-specific, properly fitting safety gear when participating in sports.

Make sure children are prepared for the demands of playing a sport.

• All children should receive a general health exam before enrolling in any sport.

• Provide children with proper aerobic conditioning and skills-building when they are learning a new sport, so that they are physically and psychologically conditioned for its demands.

• Ensure that children drink an adequate amount of liquids before and during athletic activities. Provide frequent rest periods during hot or humid weather.

Adult supervision is essential.

• Adults should be present at all times to ensure a safe playing environment and the enforcement of safety rules.

• Children should be grouped according to skill level, weight and physical maturity - especially for contact sports.

Ask about the safety-related policies of your local sports leagues.

• Coaches and other on-field personnel should be trained in first aid and CPR.  

Sport-Specific Safety Equipment Checklist

• Baseball and Softball: Batting helmet, shin guards, elbow guards, athletic supporters (males), mouth guard, sunscreen, cleats, hat and detachable “breakaway bases.”

• Basketball: Mouth guard, athletic supporters (males), proper shoes, eye protection, elbow and kneepads and water.

• Football: Helmet, mouth guard, shoulder pads, athletic supporters (males), chest/rib pads, forearm, elbow, thigh pads, shin guards, proper shoes, sunscreen and water.

• Soccer: Shin guards, athletic supporters (males), proper fitting cleats, sunscreen and water.

• Track and Field: Proper fitting shoes, sunscreen and water.