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