Encourage Safe Summer Sports for Your Children

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It’s National Youth Sports Week, and here at NY Foot Health, we wanted to take this opportunity to offer our families some information on the importance of sports and how to make sure children play safely without injury. Many children are suffering from becoming increasingly sedentary over the last year due to the COVID pandemic shutdowns. Sports is a great way to boost physical activity, and it has several other benefits as well:

  • Teaches important skills like teamwork, leadership, and cooperation

  • Provides opportunities for socialization with peers and adults

  • Improves concentration and memory

  • Positively impacts self-esteem and mental health

Prepping for Play

Whatever type of sport your child decides to play, there are some precautions you can take to ensure their experience is positive and safe.

  • Research sports programs in your community and choose one that not only interests your child but matches the level of competition and commitment appropriate for your family.

  • Ensure the team you choose follows a sound training regimen that teaches correct form and provides conditioning and appropriate stretching and warmups to protect developing muscles and bones.

  • Buy the correct shoes for the sport your child chooses and make sure they fit correctly. Today’s athletic footwear specifically accommodates the movements required by different sports.

  • If your child has a previous sports injury or a chronic foot problem, schedule a checkup with your podiatrist before they start playing and find out if any special accommodations will be necessary for them to participate safely. You can find a foot doctor in your community through our online directory.  

  • Don’t allow your child to play in pain. While you can expect some soreness, especially if the sport is new or your child has been inactive recently, playing when there’s foot or ankle pain can worsen an existing injury. Get foot pain evaluated promptly. Some injuries are not visible without x-rays or other imaging studies.

To learn more about being proactive in the care of your family’s feet, contact us and subscribe to our free e-newsletter.

foot injuries, physical fitness, Sports InjuriesNYSPMAsports injury, injury