Fall is officially here which means sports practices, game days, and potential injuries for your child. Playing is fun for the kid, but it often brings on worries to the parent of injuries and days off the field. There is something you can do to protect your child from these potential injuries though; actually, there are multiple things! These are some of the most recommended tips from sports physicians and coaches to help your child avoid injury this game season.

Stretch Before Playing

Your child’s coach should be recommending this to all players, but it’s a good idea to mention it to your child as well. Proper stretching before games and practices prepare the body and helps to avoid strained muscles, tendon and ligament injuries, and lengthy recovery times. Stretches should be done slowly and comfortably to get the tissues ready for the intense physical activity on the field or in the court. Your child should make it a habit of stretching each day no matter how much of a rush they’re in!

Wear Safety Gear

Be sure your child has the proper gear to wear during practices and games. This equipment will vary depending on the sport, but the recommended material is recommended for a reason! Not wearing the proper safety gear can lead to serious injury for your child. Some of the most dangerous injuries that are more likely to occur if your child isn’t adequately protected include Concussion, Eye injury, Mouth injury, Dislocated joints, And many more. Ill-fitting or outdated safety equipment is just as dangerous as wearing no safety gear at all. If you’re questioning the integrity of the, your child owns, keep them out of the game until it can be corrected.

Dehydration

Dehydration is one of the most common causes of player fatigue on the field, and it can increase potential for injury. Your child should be drinking plenty of water before and after practice, but during training, an electrolyte-filled sports drink is a better option. Sports drinks are formulated to replenish vital nutrients in your child including sodium and potassium. Dehydration during sports can lead to fatigue, passing out, muscle injury, irregular heartbeat, and seizures. It’s much easier to stay hydrated than it is to get rehydrated after becoming dehydrated, so teach your child to stay hydrated on and off the field. Hot temperatures and long-running games or practices may require extra hydration to compensate for the water and electrolytes lost through additional sweat.