NATA and other healthcare organizations launch an injury prevention campaign, saying that young athletes overuse their bodies and strike out too early
According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, more than half of all sports injuries in children are preventable.
With that in mind, leaders of many health and wellness organizations, including
the NATA, launched a national STOP Sports Injuries campaign on April 1. The
campaign will educate athletes, parents, athletic trainers, coaches and
healthcare providers about the rapid increase in youth sports injuries; the
necessary steps to help reverse the trend; and the need to keep young athletes
healthy. Organizations participating in the campaign in addition to the NATA
include the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, American Academy
of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical
Society for Sports Medicine, National Strength and Conditioning Association,
and SAFE Kids USA.
Sports injuries among young athletes are on the rise.
High school athletes alone account for an estimated 2 million injuries, 500,000
doctor visits and 30,000 hospitalizations every year, the CDC says. The goal of
the STOP Sports Injuries initiative is to slow, and eventually halt, the rising
rate of injuries in young athletes so that kids can become healthy adults who
enjoy exercise, camaraderie and physical health for life.
According to Dr. James Andrews, president of the American
Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and STOP Sports Injuries co-campaign
chair, orthopaedic surgeons are especially concerned with the rapid rise in the
number of youth sports injuries, and a drop in the age of young athletes with
overuse injuries.
STOP Sports Injuries focuses on prevention techniques and
encouraging open communication among those involved in the lives of young
athletes. Campaign elements include public service announcements; a website with
extensive resources and information for preventing and treating sport-specific
injuries; and a pledge of support that athletes, parents, coaches, and
healthcare providers can agree to and submit online.
"The NATA is proud to support the STOP Sports Injuries
campaign," said NATA President Marjorie J. Albohm, MS, ATC. "Prevention is the
number one priority of athletic trainers! This initiative is a perfect
complement to our injury prevention strategies and programs and will help
ensure the health and safety of young athletes."
Professional athletes are involved in the STOP Sports
Injuries campaign as members of the campaign's Council of Champions. Founding
council members include former Olympians Christie Rampone, Eric Heiden and
Bonnie Blair; professional golfer Jack Nicklaus; NFL Hall of Fame quarterback
Bart Starr; MLB baseball player John Smoltz; NFL Hall of Fame defensive end
Howie Long; and Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford.
"My recent shoulder injury highlighted the importance of
injury prevention, recovery, and communicating with my coaches, athletic trainers and
healthcare providers," said Sam Bradford' "I joined this campaign to share my
experiences and encourage young athletes to join this important cause. It is
important for kids to know that it is fun to play organized or recreational
sports, but it¿s even more important for them to stay healthy while they play."
To learn more about the STOP Sports Injuries campaign and
to submit an online pledge of support, visit www.stopsportsinjuries.org.
The goal of the STOP Sports Injuries initiative is to slow, and eventually halt, the rising rate of injuries in young athletes so that kids can become healthy adults who enjoy exercise, camaraderie and physical health for life.
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