Nov. 5, 2002

COLLEGE STATION – It's a good news/bad news situation: Parents want their children to be active and healthy, and playing sports is one way to do that. But at the same time, kids can – and sometimes do – get injured on the field. And no parent wants to see his or her child in the emergency room.

Is it any wonder parents sometimes feel confused?

In this instance, the good news outweighs the bad, said Dr. Carol Rice, Texas Cooperative Extension health specialist.

Playing sports can be extremely beneficial on many levels, she said. First and most obvious, playing sports means physical activity – a necessity for maintaining good health. Second, playing for a team can help children learn about following directions, keeping safety rules, looking out for others and working together.

And besides, she added, sports can be a lot of fun.

Deciding which sports they like best also lets children learn about making choices. Young athletes just starting out may not know yet which sports they prefer, Rice said.

"When children are younger and just starting, they can benefit from exploring several options. Let them try team sports (such as soccer, softball and basketball) as well as individual sports (such as running, golf and tennis)," she said.

Finding the right sport for the right child can take a little time, said Janet Pollard, Extension health associate. Some young athletes aren't ready to play on a team; others want to play on several. The American Academy of Pediatrics advised: "Organized sports should be tailored to match the developmental level of participants."

If the child is interested in a specific sport, "consider if the sport is a good match for the child's height, weight, strength and coordination," Pollard advised. "Also consider whether the sport is a good psychological match – does the child enjoy being coached and going to practice, or would he or she be more comfortable with an individual training routine?"

Parents concerned about their child's readiness for team sports might want to consider other options. "Remember, organized sports are not the only way to develop athletic skills or to get physical activity," Rice said. "Involvement in bicycling, swimming (non-competitively), hiking with the family and so on can all be avenues for physical activity and physical skill building."

Physical activities can bring injuries, but parents don't need to panic, Rice said. While sports injuries aren't rare, they are rarely serious, she said, and many can be prevented.

According to the National Athletic Trainers Association, about 60 percent to 70 percent of the young athletes injured each year "suffered only minor injuries that could have been prevented with proper sports safety training."

The American College of Sports Medicine echoed those findings: Of the 775,000 children younger than 14 who are treated in emergency rooms for sports-related injuries each year, nearly half have preventable injuries. That's why finding the right sport for the right young athlete is so important, Pollard said. The more the child is ready for the sport, the safer he or she will be on the field.

When choosing a sport for a child, parents should consider:

- The child's interests: Is he or she interested in sports or are the parents more interested than the child is? Don't push, the experts advised.

- The child's schedule: Does he or she already have a calendar full of music lessons, clubs, schoolwork and so on? "Too many activities can make adding athletics frustrating or overwhelming for your child," Pollard said.

- The sports: Is the emphasis on individual skill or teamwork, and which is best for the child? How big is the team; how much physical contact and/or equipment is needed? What is the cost? Once the parents and child have decided on a sport, it's time to check into the sports organization. Look into:

- Team assignments: Find out if the children are assigned positions based only on their ages – a practice which can increase the risk of injury – or based on their physical maturity and skill. Do coaches insist on warming up and cooling down times to help prevent injuries?

- Coaching: Get to know the coaches. Attend a game or two before the child joins the team; watch coaching practices in action. Talk to other parents and athletes connected to the team to find out what their experiences have been.

"It is important to look for a coach who emphasizes safety," Rice said. "Does the coach require players to follow the rules and use proper safety equipment? Is the playing field free of hazards? Is there a plan for handling injuries or medical emergencies? Does the coach spend enough time on fundamentals?

"Learning basic body movements and positioning can keep your child from slipping into bad habits, improve performance and decrease risk for injuries."

"Finally," Pollard added, "look for emphasis on fun versus competition and winning. When children reach ages 11 or 12, they may be ready for more emphasis on competition and winning. For children under age 11, the emphasis should be on fun and skill building."

For more information safety and other health issues, ask a county Extension agent for Health Hints newsletter or visit the Web site at: http://fcs.tamu.edu/health/Health_Education_Rural_Outreach/