Adults and children can experience many benefits from playing sports regularly. In addition to physical advantages, such as cardiovascular health, sports can also be an outlet for stress, a foundation for social relationships, and a way for families to bond1. Unfortunately, sports-related injuries are also a common reason for emergency room visits. We hope that your time on the court, in the rink, or on the field involves lots of fun, some wins, and zero injuries.
Safe Sports Play During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Many organized sports cancelled all practices and games at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. As leagues and teams resume operations, the decision to play now may depend on a number of factors, such as how much close contact the sport requires or the size of the team. If your family has the opportunity to continue to play sports, there are steps you can take to protect yourselves:
- Skip the handshakes If pre or post-game handshakes are part of the usual routine, replace them with a thumbs up or other positive non-touch gesture.
- Wear masks Mask wearing is essential to preventing the spread of COVID-19. Carry extra masks to replace sweaty ones or to give to team members who forgot theirs.
- Bring your own equipment Sharing equipment may be part of your usual team camaraderie, but avoid any sharing for now and make sure each player has their own.
5 Tips to Prevent Sports Injuries
- Keep Your Family’s Health Up-to-Date Pre-season physicals are a prerequisite for many school-related sports teams, but they are important even when they’re not required. They are also good for adults who plan to be active too! Make sure to mention which types of sports will be played so the doctor can properly determine your fitness to play. Eye exams are also important since clear vision is key to safe play.
- Prioritize Warm-Ups Stretching and light calisthenics may improve overall performance, but they are important for more than just competition! Loosening muscles and preparing the body can help athletes stay limber and focused. The optimal range of motion can enable you to move more smoothly and efficiently, which can help prevent tumbles, crashes, and other accidents.
- Take Breaks You and all your favorite players should understand the importance of taking a break to rest and stay hydrated. Playing through pain or competing to the point of exhaustion can cause an athlete to lose focus and be more prone to injuries or accidents.
- Play By The Rules Some rules may be meant to be broken, but not rules on the field! All sports players, from little soccer tots to dads in weekend leagues, should be mindful of all rules or regulations since they are usually in place for safety reasons. Following a coach’s advice on technique can also help keep players safe.
- Get the Proper Equipment Protective gear can make the difference between a bruise and a break. Make sure that all equipment is updated and appropriate for each sport. Confirm that all uniforms, and especially shoes, fit properly to prevent slips and falls.
Sports Injury Prevention for Parents
Our five tips to prevent sports injuries apply to athletes of all ages, but there are special considerations to take with little ones. Children are still growing, and their developing bones and muscles can be especially prone to injury. A key to preventing injuries for young players is communication. Emphasize communication with coaches and make sure your child knows to speak up when something doesn’t fit, when they don’t understand a play, or if they feel any pain. Go over safety rules with them often, and above all make sure that they know you’re their number one fan no matter what!
Contact Dr.STITCH to Treat Sports Accidents in Long Island
If you or your child has an accident that results in an injury such as a laceration or facial trauma, Dr.STITCH may be able to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We are Long Island Plastic Surgical Group’s on-call service for immediate and urgent treatment of lacerations, burns, complex wounds, facial trauma, and hand injuries. Learn more about how our service works and download our Contact Card to your phone.
Sports Injury Stories From Real Dr.STITCH Patients
The highly skilled surgeons at Dr.STITCH are experienced in treating acute sports injuries. We hope you never need us, but we’re here if you do! Here are stories from a few families that we were able to help when their young athletes were hurt while playing sports:
Emme received a significant facial wound on the soccer field, but her dad was happy that their Dr.STITCH surgeon “made a traumatic situation very calming.” – Read Emme’s Dr.STITCH story
Christian needed 21 stitches after a hockey incident and his mom was impressed with the quality of care he received from Dr.STITCH. Read Christian’s Dr.STITCH story.
When Gregory was hurt in a basketball game, his father was glad that Dr.STITCH “used techniques that would leave a minimal scar since the injury was above his eye.” Read Gregory’s Dr.STITCH story.
1 Merkel DL. Youth sport: positive and negative impact on young athletes. Open Access J Sports Med. 2013;4:151-160. Published 2013 May 31. doi:10.2147/OAJSM.S33556