General Health & Safety

The culture of youth sports can cloud a parent's judgment to the point that she doesn't want to hear the truth about the seriousness of an injury to their child.

In the event lightning strikes a player, fan, or official at a sports contest, giving immediate first-aid is essential.

Each year, about 400 children and adults in the U.S. are struck by lightning while working outside, at sports events, on the beach, mountain climbing, mowing the lawn or during other outdoor activities; several hundred more are left to cope with permanent disabilities. Here are some lightning safety rules to follow to avoid becoming a lightning statistic

Guidelines from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) for making decisions concerning the suspension and restarting of athletic contests based on the presence of lightning.

Most experts agree that you should have your child undergo a thorough pre-participation physical evaluation or exam (PPE) every year. Not only can a PPE be an effective tool in identifying athletes who should not be playing sports because they have congenital heart defects or a history of concussions, but it is also useful in identifying medical problems effecting sports participation, such as asthma or the female athlete triad.

It is well-established that playing sports is good for boys.  Indeed, some experts contend that, given  the way they hard-wired, boys need sports and competition because they provide healthy ways to channel their intense physicality and aggression and feel strong.

Hockey, ice skating, sledding, skiing, snowboarding and other cold-weather activities are a great way to get some fresh air and exercise during those long chilly months. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has some helpful hints to help prevent winter sports injuries.

With winter comes the risk of injuries and illnesses from cold-weather activity. Here are some tips for preventing and treating hypothermia, frostbite, and other cold-related injuries.

Rehabilitation is the process of using exercise, manual therapy (massage and manipulation), and therapeutic devices, such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation, to help an injured athlete heal so they can return to sports. It is usually supervised by physical therapists, who recommend a set of exercises for the athlete to do at home to speed the recovery process by restoring range of motion, muscle strength, and aerobic fitness after an injury.