| Games are definitely fun, especially for | | | | sports are clear and incontrovertible. The |
| children. But playing in sports can turn into | | | | issue at hands is how you can best protect |
| a hospital emergency for your kids. | | | | your child's joints and bones from being |
| Statistical data from the Centers for Disease | | | | injured in a game; doing so will greatly |
| Control and Prevention reveals that annually | | | | diminish his or her chances of acquiring |
| close to 800,000 children suffer from | | | | joint diseases like osteoarthritis later in |
| injuries that are related to playing sports; | | | | life. |
| and a big chunk of this number are linked to | | | | |
| basketball, baseball, football and soccer. | | | | Surely, you know a lot about preparing your |
| In the same study, it has also been found | | | | child's body for any game; stamina and |
| that over 60% of the injuries are associated | | | | resistance play important roles on how a |
| with damages in the joints. | | | | player, young or old alike, will perform in |
| | | | any physical sport. But the key to an |
| For most parents, sports injuries are an | | | | injury-free playtime is wearing the right |
| acceptable risk for all kinds of sports; in | | | | protective gear. Giving your child added |
| other words, if you do not want your child to | | | | security against traumas common in any |
| get wet, then do not allow him or her to | | | | physical sport may be the smartest thing to |
| frolic in the rain. But the thing is that | | | | do. |
| long after a sports injury has healed, | | | | |
| certain complications may sprout later in | | | | For a basketball fanatic, injuries in the |
| your kid's life. And the most difficult | | | | knee joints can be considered common aside |
| backlash may come in the form of | | | | from sprains and ankle strains. So suit up |
| osteoarthritis. | | | | your child with elbow and knee pads; you can |
| | | | also add eye goggles and a mouth guard. |
| Yes, it is true! Sports injuries can put your | | | | |
| child five times more prone to osteoarthritis | | | | In baseball, swinging the bat and throwing |
| than someone who has not experienced any | | | | balls may take their toll on your child's |
| abuse in the joints. And while osteoarthritis | | | | muscles. But all the sliding on the base |
| may come out years later, even after the | | | | plate and the risk of being hit by a ball can |
| sports injuries have completely healed, | | | | pose a more serious injury that can afflict |
| children of today-especially those who love | | | | joints and other bone tissues. Your child's |
| to play sports-are exposed to greater risks | | | | basic protective gear should include a |
| of joint diseases. Indeed, osteoarthritis | | | | batting helmet, elbow and knee pads, |
| and other joint diseases are no longer | | | | protective gloves, and shin guards. |
| confined to the 50- or 60-year-old age | | | | |
| brackets; members of the younger generations | | | | If your child plays football, sprains and |
| who have experienced sports injuries may | | | | torn ligaments are the most common types of |
| suffer the symptoms of various joint and bone | | | | injuries to look out for. Invest in sports |
| diseases as early as in their late twenties. | | | | gear like helmet, chest and shoulder pads, |
| | | | shin guards, and, of course, the right shoes. |
| But this should not deter you from allowing | | | | Soccer is another form of football, but in |
| your child to be out there playing | | | | this sport your kid does not need a helmet |
| basketball, baseball, football or soccer; the | | | | nor chest and shoulder pads; shin guards and |
| benefits of getting your child involved in | | | | pads on the elbows and knees will do. |