Free Youth Sports Injury Prevention Clinic to Offer Education, Stretching Techniques

Aug. 14, 2012 - PRLog -- On Saturday, August 18 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at WakeMed Soccer Park, WakeMed Health & Hospitals, Wake Orthopaedics, Safe Kids Wake County and DuPuy Mitek, a Johnson and Johnson company, are partnering to offer athletes ages 10 and up, parents and coaches tips and techniques to prevent and manage sports-related injuries.

The clinic is sponsored by DuPuy Mitek and is being hosted by Safe Kids Wake County. WakeMed and Wake Orthopaedics experts will discuss how to prevent and manage sports-related injuries in young athletes with sessions including:
•   ACL and overuse injuries;
•   proper stretching, warm-up and cool-down exercises;
•   injury prevention practices for coaches; and
•   a parent question and answer session with orthopaedic physicians.

Participants will have the opportunity to meet the pros from the Carolina RailHawks, as well as special guest, Carla Overbeck, Olympic Gold Medalist and former captain of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team. All registered participants and their families will receive free tickets and meal vouchers for the RailHawks vs. FC Edmonton soccer match following the clinic at 7:00 p.m.

In addition, education displays will address concussions, heart conditions and the importance of baseline EKGs, nutrition and hydration.

“More than one in three children who play team sports are injured seriously enough to miss practices or games, and some suffer life-long consequences,” said Mark Wood, MD, medical director of Wake Orthopaedics. “At the same time, many of these injuries are preventable. Our goal is to reach coaches, parents and young athletes through this clinic and equip them with the critical information and resources needed to keep kids out of the emergency room and doctor’s office and on the playing field.”

This youth sports injury prevention clinic is one of several taking place throughout the country as part of a national education campaign sponsored by Safe Kids USA and supported by Depuy Mitek.  The campaign focuses on raising awareness of critical measures to optimize health and prevent sports-related injuries.  Topics will include:  

•   Pre-Season Medical Screening: These exams can detect any underlying conditions the young athlete may have and therefore prevent a potential medical emergency.

•   Safety gear: To prevent acute injuries, children playing sports should have access to and consistently use well-maintained safety equipment, such as helmets, during both practices and games.

•   Proper Conditioning: To prevent acute and overuse injuries, coaches should teach young athletes proper routines for both warm-ups and cool-downs before and after practice and play. This can help prevent sports-related injuries (such as muscle tears or sprains) by stretching and releasing any muscle tension.

•   Hydration: Athletes should be encouraged to drink fluids (water or sports drink) 30 minutes before the activity begins and every 15-20 minutes during activity. Coaches should establish mandatory water breaks during practice and games—don't wait for the child to tell you he/she is thirsty.

•   Rest: If young athletes are very tired or in pain, coaches and parents should encourage them to rest as this valuable recovery time can help prevent acute and overuse injuries.

For more information on sports injury prevention, visit www.safekids.org/sports.