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For better or for worse, most youngsters spend the majority of the winter indoors. Whereas they are able to exercise freely in warmer months, the cold weather makes staying active a challenge. Therefore, bodies tend to lose strength due to inactivity, inviting injuries that normally do not occur in peak shape. Easing your body into an activity and slowly getting your child accustomed to the wear of a sport is key to starting any season
"It is imperative that any child performing any physical activity stretches and warms up prior. It is an easy way to prevent most common physical activity-related injuries," said Dr. Dominic Ruocco of The Doctor's Office Urgent Care
Making sure your child is practicing property technique is also important to avoid injuries. For athletes participating in softball and baseball, it is important for them to warm up before playing. "For example in Little League, pitchers must warm up their arm before going ‘all out’ with their throws in order to avoid injury," said Dr. Ruocco. "It is also important to abide by the rules of maximum number of pitches a minor can throw in a game and how much rest they need between. They can use these restrictions as a guideline for off-field training to ensure that they have a productive and healthy spring and summer."
In the event that an injury does occur, it's important to make sure it's treated properly. If joints are bruised or sprained, resting and icing can minimize swelling and shorten recovery times. For more serious injuries or persistent pain, seek the advice of a doctor. Patience is key when coming back from any injury. Return too soon from a sprain or break, and the chances of re-injuring or compounding the ailment is greatly increased.
