Fall Sports Safety Tips for Families From a UB Expert

Now that fall has arrived, many children and adults are ready to begin taking part in seasonal sports like soccer, cross country, field hockey, and football. Research shows that there are many steps we can take to limit our risk of injury, and to make sure we are staying safe while also getting the exercise we need.

Here, Ryan Krzyzanowicz, DAT, LAT, ATC, Director of the Athletic Training Program, Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Professions, offers some tips for families to consider this season.

Physicals are essential.

Krzyzanowicz says receiving a proper pre-participation physical prior to practicing is important, and that it is even better if a healthcare provider is present at the practice, such as an athletic trainer. Note that free physicals are offered before the start of each school year by UB’s Lighthouse Free Medical Clinic and the Seneca-Babcock Community Association.

Be mindful of the temperature.

Time of year has an impact on sports safety, especially when it comes to temperature. August may be behind us, but young athletes still need to be careful. “When teams are practicing in heat, it is extremely important to follow all recommended guidelines,” Krzyzanowicz says.

Rest is your friend.

It is easy for kids to get physically burned out, Krzyzanowicz says. “Many people think more is better but as a teenager, your body is growing and undergoing many changes,” he says. “This is where we see many overuse injuries.” He points to the Little League World Series as an example: “If you watched any of it, you may have noticed that all pitchers had a pitch count — 85 pitches in a day — and a requirement of X number of days rest, depending on how many pitches they threw. This is an example of creating rules to protect the children from injury.”

Another way to prevent burnout? Playing multiple sports.

Krzyzanowicz says that research points to not specializing in a sport but playing multiple sports, which may surprise some parents. “Children’s bodies during adolescence are going through many changes, including growth spurts,” he says. “Often, we see overuse injuries due to not getting a break. For example, child who plays basketball might be on an AAU travel team, high school team and summer leagues.” Researchers have found that participating in a variety of sports at a young age may help prevent injury and decrease burnout.

Be knowledgeable about how to handle emergencies.

Coaches need to be certified to perform CPR and use an AED. However, Krzyzanowicz calls the instances when these are needed a “worst-case scenario, and sudden cardiac arrest is a rare injury.” When it comes to other types of injuries, it is recommended that each team has a venue specific emergency action plan (EAP). “This EAP is a document that outlines exactly what to do in an emergency situation, including who to call, what gates/doors may need to be unlocked, etc.,” he says. [See a WGRZ story featuring quotes from Krzyzanowicz about the lack of athletic trainers at many schools.]

Krzyzanowicz stresses that we can always improve sports safety for children and teenagers. “Having a medical professional, such as an athletic trainer employed at high schools, is the first step,” he explains. He also says coaches must be properly educated on safety parameters for their given sport and for things such as strength and conditioning. “We need to ensure all coaches understand what an EAP is and how to implement it,” Krzyzanowicz says. “Working with experts at the University at Buffalo can also help make a difference.”

Learn more injury prevention steps for children and adults from UB|MD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine and download this PDF from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association for some practical athletic health and safety tips.