Head and Sports Injuries
Everyday athletes run down the field or court with just one thought on their mind, they’re going to win the game for their team, but then all of a sudden they’re on the ground in pain. When this happens to athletes they have no idea what happened to them. They should be more aware of sports injuries. Every year millions of kids go to the hospital because of sports (Brown); people who are involved or who have a child involved need to know what kinds of injuries can happen from the sports they play and how to prevent them.
Too many athletes each year get hurt. Football, for an example, has fifteen percent of young players that get injured on the field every year. One third of those who get hurt badly miss practice for a week. Another example is baseball. Baseball is one of the most deadliest sports in the world. On average two people die a year from playing baseball. In 1990 about 140,000 baseball players had to go to the hospital, 18,000 of them had to do with facial injuries. A third example is basketball. About 460,000 young athletes visit the hospital because of basketball injuries (Brown). "About half of the 70 deaths that come from basketball came from 1998-'91 came in the 11-20 age group." (Brown, 18) “While most players bounce back, many don’t. At least 55 high school football players have died in the past 10 years. Almost as many baseball players age 5-14 were fatally injured since 1973, and about three dozen basketball players age 11-20 died in a recent three-year period. Many other kids have suffered paralyzing spinal injuries, especially in football, hockey and gymnastics.”(Brown, 1)
There are many ways to prevent injuries that parents, athletes, and coaches don't know. Many experts give important tips to parents to reduce injuries. Some of these tips include: no playing hurt, certify coaches, avoid mismatches, bold changes in rules, make practice perfect, watch summer camps, not too young, check fields, question philosophy, and stay in shape. To make some sports safer people have created some new and improved equipment, but some of this new equipment makes athletes feel safer so they play rougher. This leads to more injuries (Brown). Many are questioning this new equipment. Because of injuries, doctors are very important. Many doctors say that most athletes who get injured just need a little ice and rest but most of them refuse to listen. This creates conflicts and later on affects the athletes’ life (Schmid). “The American College of Sports Medicine estimates that 50 percent of overuse injuries in youngsters can be prevented.” (Schmid)
Athletes get injured because they are being pressured, don't know how to prevent injuries, don't listen, aren’t aware of how common they are, or other reasons unknown. "Youth sports have moved out of the sandlot and into a new era of sophistication. Training and competition are more intense. Championships and scholarships are at stake. Pressure from parents and peers is ever-present. Improved equipment has prevented some injuries, but has also inspired rougher play among kids who now feel armored and invulnerable." (Brown, 1-2) Many athletes say that they are being pressured by parents to stay in sports after being injured. This is something that happens a lot. Parents are too involved in their kid’s sport and want their kid to be the best that they don’t realize how much it affects their child’s life (Brown). A lot of times it’s because the athletes don’t listen. Some times doctors tell athletes that all they need is a little rest and ice but they refuse to listen so their injuries get worse. Athletes need to listen to their doctors more because this could help make their injury better and not cause consequences later on in life (Schmid). One other way is because of overuse. Many athletes overuse injuries and that leads to worse injuries; this may make the athlete unable to play for their sport and wait longer than if they rested. This shows that the athlete needs to listen (Brown, Schmid, and “High School Sports Injuries”).
Some critics believe that high schools should have better safety rules for sports. They also believe that after being injured you should wait a week or two until coming back to the sport they were playing. "Critics of high school athletics programs say that schools should take more safety measures such as having qualified athletic trainers and proper medical equipment on hand during all practices and games, they argue, and student athletes who have suffered serious injuries in the past should be discouraged from returning to sports. Where appropriate, state and local governments should pass legislation that forces schools to improve their safety regulations, critics say." (“High School Sports Injuries”, 2) "Defenders say focusing too much on the issue of injuries distracts from the fact that athletic participation benefits the vast majority of students, they contend." (High School Injuries”, 2) This may be true. The fact that we are focusing on safety may scare athletes away because they don’t want to get hurt, but it helps because this means less injuries.
"Defenders of high school athletics programs, on the other hand, maintain that sports help to keep students active and healthy. Sports can also promote self-confidence, socialization and team spirit, advocates stress."(“High School Sports Injuries”, 2) This is true. Teams become like a second family; the more they bond the better the team plays. "Some critics argue that certain sports, particularly football and wrestling, are excessively dangerous, and urge parents to bar their children from participating in them. Also, critics argue that high schools should train their athletes less rigorously in order to minimize the risk that students will sustain "overuse" injuries, which occur when athletes wear out parts of their bodies by practicing too hard and too often." (“High School Sports Injuries, 2)
Sports can be very dangerous but you shouldn’t ban them. They build confidence and team spirit but injuries need to be talked about. Injuries are a serious matter that people need to be aware of (“High School Sports Injuries”). If athletes, parents, and coaches take the matter more seriously and listen to the tip that experts give injuries will occur less. It’s hard to get athletes, parents, and coaches to listen to what experts say that’s probably why there are so many injuries occurring.
Cited Works
Brown, Curt. “Playing Hurt: Injuries in Youth Sports.” Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN).
Nov. 1 1992: 1S+. SIRS Researcher. Web. 15 Sep 2010.
"High School Sports Injuries." Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies.
Facts On File News Services, 21 Dec. 2007. Web. 28 Sept. 2010.
Schmid, Pam. "Playing in Pain." Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN). Jan. 15 2006: A1+. SIRS
Researcher. Web. 19 Sep 2010.
