AFC Bridgeport wants to make sure that you have all the information you need to keep your kids in the game during the fall season. Whether you are an athlete, parent or coach, we have the sports injury prevention tips and tools to make sure safety is your first priority!

Athletes – Full speed and any direct contact are the two most common causes of injuries. Regardless of protective gear, it is still possible for you to be injured, whether it is during practice or a game. Here are a few injuries to look out for during your fall season:

• Traumatic injuries such as damage to your knees and shoulders and torn ACL’s
• Overuse injuries such as lower-back pain or back pain in general
• Athletes are very susceptible to concussions. Letting a concussion go untreated can often lead to a more serious problem in the future
• Heat injuries are a major concern for athletes during the fall months. Training camps for fall seasons typically start in August when some of the highest temperatures and humidity of the year occur

Parents – Children often sustain two types of injuries while playing sports: acute and overuse. Acute injuries usually result from a single event whereas overuse injuries are more difficult to diagnose and treat because they are subtle and occur over time. Here are a few tips on how to tell if your child is injured:

• Headaches during/after activity
• Difficulty during daily activities such as walking, sitting, climbing stairs, etc.
• Experiencing unusual weakness
• Avoiding putting weight on a certain body part or appearing to be in pain when using a particular body part
• Stiffness in the joints or muscles

Coaches – As a coach, it is your responsibility to make sure that your athletes have learned the safe ways to participate in sports.

• Be sure each child has their annual pre-participation physical exam completed by their physician
• Warm up properly before practice and a game
• Allow your athletes to cool down and take breaks in the warm weather, especially during the fall season where heat and humidity are common
• User the proper training and technique to avoid injuries

If your student or child has been complaining of any injuries due to physical activity, contact AFC in Bridgeport today. We have an on-site x-ray and lab available every day to treat acute injuries for athletes. We also provide sports physicals for those in need, so stop on by 7 days a week – no appointments necessary!