Injury Statistics Among Young Athletes

 

  • Each year, high school athletes sustain an estimated two million injuries, 500,000 doctor visits and 30,000 hospitalizations
  • As for children under age 14, more than 3.5 million receive medical treatment for sports injuries each year
  • Despite being the most preventable, overuse injuries account for nearly half of all sports injuries in middle and high school athletes
  • Since 2000 there has been a fivefold increase in the number of serious shoulder and elbow injuries among youth baseball and softball players
  • According to some estimates, as many as 300,000 ACL injuries occur in the U.S. every year, especially more commonly in today’s young athlete.
  • Nearly 70% of all ACL injuries result from a non-contact mechanism, usually a quick pivot, unbalanced landing or an abrupt stop.

Why Are Young Athletes At An Increased Risk for Injury?

Although individuals of all ages can suffer injuries, young athletes are developing injuries at an increasing rate over the past decade. There are a few explanations for this phenomenon:

  • Children are participating in sporting activities at an earlier age 
  • Secondly, children are exposed to sports much more frequently throughout the year, sometimes specializing in only one sport. In addition, the intensity at which children are training now is higher than ever
  • During adolescent development, there may be a lag in neuromuscular control and strength in the core and extremities. Fully matured athletes may never have gained full potential in this area
  • Lack of adequate preparation in offseason leading up to sport participation, as well as lack of preparation prior to each practice and competition

What Can Be Done To Help Prevent This From Happening?

There is increasing evidence that prevention programs can reduce the risk of injuries, such as non-contact ACL tears. These programs emphasize the improvement of neuromuscular control and stability of an athlete through different methods, some of which include:

  • Flexibility
  • Strengthening
  • Balance
  • Plyometrics
  • Conditioning

Many of these prevention programs are generic and designed as a one-size-fits-all framework.

However, at Armonk Physical Therapy and Sports Training, we tailor each program to the individual athlete based on their areas of need.

Individualized Injury Screening: Comprehensive assessment to identify weaknesses and imbalances that could lead to injury.

Personalized Training Program: Based on your screening we create custom plans that address your special needs and sport, focusing on strength, flexibility, balance and proper technique.

Education and Empowerment: We don’t just tell you what to do, We teach you why it matters. This empowers you to become an active participant in your injury prevention journey.

Injury Prevention Team

John Connolly
PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, Injury Prevention Specialist
Partner of Armonk Physical Therapy and Sports Training

Monika Tomasik
NASAM Personal Trainer
Corrective Exercises Specialist
Women’s Fitness Specialists
Senior Fitness Specialist

Injury Prevention and Sports Training Specialist
Youth Exercise Specialist