
Playing sports can be good for kids of all abilities. A leading medical organization offers some tips for getting children involved, while helping keep them safe and injury-free. “We encourage children to play a variety of sports, both to increase their enjoyment over time and to avoid injuries we often see with overuse,” said Dr. Alison Brooks, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness. “Parents can play a big role in influencing their children to play sports that are appropriate for their age, development and physical abilities,” Brooks explained in an AAP news release. Sports help kids stay fit and feel good about themselves, the AAP noted. Pediatricians also encourage young people with disabilities to participate in sports, recreation and physical activities whenever possible, the academy added. Among the many benefits of playing sports are improved physical and mental health; better social skills and relationships; enhanced well-being and self-esteem; and improved sleep and behavior. Still, all sports do have risks of injuries. Among the most frequent ones are sprains, which are injuries to ligaments; strains, which are injuries to muscles; growth plate irritation; and stress fractures. The AAP recommends having a doctor evaluate tenderness over a bone in a growing child even if there is minimal swelling or limitation in motion. Here are some tips to reduce the… read on > read on >