Youth Sports Injuries: What Parents Need to Know

Protecting Growing Bodies & Supporting Young Dreams

Whether your child is chasing goals on the football pitch, flipping on the gymnastics mat, or sprinting down the track, youth sports offer countless benefits—from confidence to coordination. But with growing bodies and intense training comes a real risk: injury.

As a parent, knowing the most common sports injuries and how to respond can make all the difference in your child’s health and long-term performance.

⚽ Common Injuries by Sport

Football / Rugby

• Ankle sprains

• Knee ligament injuries (ACL/MCL)

• Muscle strains

• Concussions

Gymnastics / Dance

• Wrist sprains

• Back pain (due to hyperextension)

• Growth plate irritation (esp. in wrists and heels)

• Tendonitis

Athletics / Track & Field

• Shin splints

• Hamstring strains

• Sever’s disease (heel pain in growing kids)

• Overuse injuries

Basketball / Netball

• Jumper’s knee (patellar tendonitis)

• Ankle sprains

• Finger dislocations

Even low-contact sports like swimming or tennis can carry overuse risks, especially in elbows, shoulders, and knees.

🦴 Growth Plates: Why They Matter

Children and teens are not just smaller adults — their bones are still growing. This means they have growth plates (areas of developing tissue near the ends of long bones), which are vulnerable to injury.

Growth plate injuries can:

• Be mistaken for sprains or strains

• Impact long-term growth if left untreated

• Require specialised care to avoid future complications

Early detection and proper rehab are key to preventing lasting damage.

✅ 5 Tips to Prevent Youth Sports Injuries

1. Warm Up + Cool Down Teach your child to properly prepare their body and recover after games or training.

2. Don’t Skip Strength & Stability. Core and balance exercises improve control, reducing strain on joints.

3. Rest Days Are Essential Growing bodies need time to recover. Avoid overloading with multiple teams or sports.

4. Proper Footwear + Equipment Use sport-specific, well-fitted gear to avoid unnecessary strain or impact.

5. Listen to the Pain If your child complains about pain that lingers more than a few days — especially near joints or growth areas — it’s time to get it checked out.

🩺 Why Early Intervention Matters

Ignoring pain or “playing through it” can turn small problems into bigger ones.At TMacLife, we help young athletes:

• Recover safely from injuries

• Strengthen weak areas

• Build good movement habits for long-term performance

We work closely with both parents and young athletes to ensure care is age-appropriate and sport-specific.

📍 Support Your Young Athlete

Book a Youth Injury Prevention Check-Up Today

Catch issues early. Build strength. Keep your child confident and injury-free.

➡️ Book Now or contact us to learn more.