Youth Sports Injuries: What Parents Need to Know

Youth sports are an incredible way for children and teens to stay active, develop discipline, and build confidence. But with the growing intensity of training and competition, young athletes are increasingly at risk of injury — many of which, if not managed early, can lead to long-term issues.

At TMacLife Sports Injury Clinic, we believe that early intervention, education, and proper care are essential to keeping young athletes healthy, strong, and doing what they love.

⚽ Common Injuries by Sport

Certain sports come with specific injury patterns. Here are some of the most common injuries we see in youth athletes:

Football & Rugby

• Sprains (ankle, knee)

• Muscle strains (hamstring, groin)

• Concussion or head impact

Gymnastics & Dance

• Wrist and elbow overuse injuries

• Lower back pain

• Stress fractures

Basketball & Netball

• Jumper’s knee (patellar tendonitis)

• Ankle sprains

• Shin splints

Track & Field / Running

• Growth plate irritation

• Achilles pain

• Hip flexor strain

Understanding sport-specific risks allows us to design targeted injury prevention plans — which are especially important during growth spurts.

📏 Growth Plates: A Key Consideration

Children and teens are still growing — which means their bones are softer and more vulnerable than adults. Growth plates (areas of cartilage near the ends of long bones) are prone to injury, especially during peak growth phases.

Growth plate injuries often appear as:

• Persistent joint pain

• Limping or reduced mobility

• Pain that worsens with activity

Without proper diagnosis and treatment, these injuries can impact long-term development and athletic performance.

Injury Prevention Tips for Young Athletes

✅ Prioritise proper warm-ups and cool-downsTeach kids that recovery is as important as training.

✅ Limit overtrainingToo much of one sport too soon increases injury risk — vary activities where possible.

✅ Ensure proper footwear and techniqueGood form prevents bad habits (and injuries).

✅ Educate on pain vs. sorenessPain is a signal, not a challenge to push through.

✅ Get assessed after a fall or strain — even if they “walk it off”Early intervention reduces the risk of re-injury or long-term damage.

💬 Support Your Young Athlete — Book a Check-Up Today

At TMacLife, we work with youth athletes across multiple sports — providing tailored injury prevention assessments, hands-on care, and movement-based rehab plans.

Whether your child is recovering from a knock or needs a proactive screen, we’re here to help them stay strong, safe, and confident in their sport.

👉 Book a Youth Injury Prevention Check-Up Today📍 Peterborough | 💬 Trusted by local families and sports teams

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