children and young athletes; overuse injuries

Question 1

What are overuse injuries?

Answer 1

Injuries that occur due to the repeated use of a part of the body, causing tissue damage and considerable discomfort.

Question 2

What are common types of overuse injuries that affect children and young athletes?

Answer 2

• Stress fractures
• Swimmer’s shoulder
• Runners knee

Question 3

What are causes of overuse injuries?

Answer 3

• Prolonged periods of exercise/practice without rest
• Poor biomechanical technique, leading to excessive strain on the body
• Inadequate equipment (e.g. poor running shoes)
• Physiological abnormalities (e.g. unbalanced muscle and bone length)

Question 4

What are ways to manage/prevent overuse injuries?

Answer 4

• Total training volume and intensity should be monitored
• Rest days must be provided
• Variety in training (e.g. training on different surfaces)
• Gradually build up strength and flexibility in all muscle groups—> increase the muscles ability to support joints and abosorb impact to protect bones
• Coaches should look for signs of and symptoms of overuse in their athletes to prevent further injury