As kids practice passing in the outdoor summer soccer league, shoot some hoops on the neighborhood court, and perfect their backstroke at the local pool, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) aims to put the upcoming school sports season in safe perspective for parents and their young athletes.

Overuse is to blame for up to half of all injuries seen in pediatric sports medicine, says a new policy statement from the AAP. Caused by repetitive actions that put too much stress on the bones and muscles, overuse injuries can be a real problem because they may affect kids' growing bones.

Some of the most common types of overuse injuries, which may cause pain and swelling during or after playing, include Little League elbow (from throwing), swimmer's shoulder (from the overhead motion of swimming or throwing a ball), and shin splints (from running on a hard surface). And when kids don't give their injured parts enough time to heal, they risk reinjury.

Children and teens who play or practice too much can also experience "burnout" (or overtraining syndrome), says the report, which may cause physical and emotional symptoms like:

• regular joint or muscle pain
• fatigue
• increased resting heart rate
• decreased performance and enthusiasm for training or competing
• problems finishing usual activities
• changes in personality

What This Means to You

As with anything, moderation is key to keeping kids' sports injuries to a minimum. To help make sports experiences safer — and more enjoyable — for seasons to come, the AAP says it's wise for kids to:

• Participate in sports that emphasize fun, safety, sportsmanship, and learning skills.
• Join only one team per season.
• Take a break between seasons if they play multiple sports.
• Limit training in a single sport to no more than 5 days a week, giving kids at least 1 day off from any kind of organized physical activity.
• Take 2- to 3-month breathers from one sport each year to give bodies and brains a much-needed break.

To reduce your young athletes' chances of overextending themselves physically or emotionally, also consider making sure they:

• Play sports appropriate for their skill level, size, and physical and emotional maturity.
• Know the rules and techniques of the sport before they step on the field.
• Warm up and cool down before and after practices and games.
• Use equipment and safety gear that's the right size and fits well.
• Drink plenty of fluids and get some rest during practices and games.
• Have coaches that are trained in first aid and CPR, don't pressure kids to play too hard, and always enforce the use of safety equipment.

Also, keep an eye out for overuse injuries. When a young athlete starts complaining of pain, that's the body's way of saying there's a problem that needs to be addressed. Your doctor can determine whether your child should see a sports medicine specialist, too.

And, although they may be ready to dive, dash, or dribble right back in, kids with overuse injuries will often need to take a break and then eventually ease into the game again to reduce the chances of reinjury.

Above all, says the AAP, sports should foster a lifelong appreciation of fitness, physical activity, and healthy competition — no matter what the activity or how old the player.

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: July 2007

Source: "Overuse Injuries, Overtraining, and Burnout in Child and Adolescent Athletes," Pediatrics, June 2007.