Pre-Participation Physical ExamPre-Participation Physical Exams (otherwise known as PPE) are physical exams given by a doctor or a nurse practitioner that are meant to evaluate whether a child is healthy enough for sports. Many parents probably wonder whether these exams are necessary or not, since most children are vibrant and healthy. In these cases, PPEs might not always be necessary. Healthy kids who have never suffered severe injuries or had any limitations on their abilities can probably start a new sports team without much to worry about.However, parents with kids who have broken a bone or suffered from a concussion in the past might want to be more cautious. If your child has asthma or has experienced any illnesses which might make it harder for them to run or breathe heavily, then it is a good idea to see a doctor. Be aware of your child’s limitations so that they can stay safe when they’re at practice. Then, make sure your child’s coaches all know these limitations. A good coach will respect their players’ needs and make sure not to push hard health limits on any child.
Encourage Warm-Ups
Kids, in their eagerness to play, might forget to get their body ready for strenuous activity. Warm-up and cool-down stretches are very important activities for kids. Taking a few minutes to stretch properly can increase blood circulation and prepare your child’s muscles for physical exertion. Team coaches should ensure that proper stretching time is given every practice and before each game, but as a parent, you can help at home too. Try some family stretches together before you drop them off for a game, or make sure to warm-up before you start a family game of touch-football in the back yard.Encouraging this sport-safety behavior at home can help your child be better prepared for practice and make them safer while they become a star athlete!Get the Right Equipment
For most sports, there are required shoes and padding. This is something every parent knows they need to invest in for their child when starting a new sport, but every family needs to make sure they’re doing it right. For your child’s sport of choice, do some research to make sure shin guards are the right length and helmets are properly fitting your child’s head.Sometimes, hand-me-down equipment can be a bad idea. Saving money might be nice, but if your older child has a different helmet size or their shoes got too worn down when they were playing, it might be risky to have your younger child use the same equipment. Since sports equipment can be worn down quickly from frequent use, it is important to ensure your child has the very best when they start playing.Hydration Stations
Many recreational sports teams have parent volunteers who bring snacks and water for the whole team to help keep kids energized and hydrated during the game. Does yours? If not, then talk to the coach about setting up a rotation for snacks and water. Every child needs to stay hydrated when they’re at practice and games since it can be easy to get overheated during the summer.If your team already has a parent snack rotation, then get involved! Becoming a part of your child’s team volunteer group can not only help you make sure your child is taken care of during games, but it can let your child know how much you care about their sport and involvement. When it’s your turn to bring refreshments, it’s a good idea to get water bottles for everyone. In addition, some cold fresh fruit can make for a perfect snack.Beware of Concussions
One of the worst and most universal injuries a child can get playing sports is a concussion. Concussions are a risk for almost any recreational sport, whether your kids are playing football, soccer, basketball, or anything else. Anytime a child falls or gets hit on the head there is a risk for concussion, though not all impacts are blunt enough to cause one.Check for the signs of a concussion and keep an eye on your child during games. If they take a tumble and it looks like it was bad, then check on them and make sure they’re doing okay. If you are concerned about the risk of a concussion, then seek emergency medical care immediately. Wylie ER supports all of our local sports teams, and we are proud to be serving a community full of talented young athletes! In the event of a sport related emergency, Wylie ER is open 24/7, and we are always ready to help with concierge-level care.This blog is written by Maggie Berardo, content writer at Nutex Health.Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on Wylie Emergency Room or any one of our concierge-level, freestanding emergency facilities to deliver the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.]]>
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