Play Ball – Safely! 

As spring begins, millions of children across the country are oiling their baseball gloves, restringing their tennis racquets and breaking in cleats in preparation for a new season of sports. But as the nation learns more about the importance of sports safety – particularly around concussions – parents and coaches may be doing more worrying than cheering from the stands and sidelines. 

“Children aren’t in the big leagues yet, but they are still at risk for a number of injuries that coaches and parents need to be aware of and prepared for,” said Emergency Nurses Association President AnnMarie Papa, DNP, RN, CEN, NE-BC, FAEN. “We want to see children sliding into home plate, not being wheeled into the Emergency Department.” 

This year, the Emergency Nurses Association is urging everyone to take simple precautions to ensure that spring sports season is a home run, by offering the following safety tips: 

1.      Have proper, well-fitting protective gear. Check to make sure that children haven’t outgrown last year’s protective gear, says Deena Brecher, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, CEN, CPEN, Emergency Department Clinical Nurse Specialist at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware. “Don’t wait until the first day of practice to do this. Parents need to go in the closet and dig out protective gear to make sure it still fits, and if it doesn’t, get new stuff.”

2.      Get a physical before the season starts. School teams, and many recreational teams, require youth to get a physical before they are eligible to play a sport. “Even if it’s not required that the child get a physical, it’s a good idea,” says Papa. A routine physical can help spot underlying cardiac issues, or other health problems, that can be exacerbated by vigorous physical activity. A pediatrician can also refer you to a specialist for a neuropsychological evaluation, which is becoming more popular as awareness grows about concussions. Neuropsychological evaluations provide a baseline assessment of brain function, which can then be used to diagnose a concussion, should the need arise. 

3.      Ensure that emergency contact information is correct and up-to-date.  Make sure that your child’s medical history, allergies and the medications they take haven’t changed from last year, and are clearly documented. If your child has to go to the Emergency Department, they’ll need to reach you for verbal consent to care for your child. Make sure the phone numbers listed for you, other caregivers or emergency contacts are accurate. If you’re not at practice with your children, keep your cell phone with you in case a coach or the Emergency Department needs to contact you.

4.      Before and during the game. Stretch or warm-up before the game to avoid injury. Coaches should be familiar with the signs of heat exhaustion, and give children adequate rest and water breaks. Always wear sunscreen, and be sure to reapply if you’re outside for long periods of time. Wear breathable clothing and appropriate shoes. Avoid eating heavy meals before vigorous exercise.

Coaches and parents should know the signs of some common sports injuries that may require a visit to the Emergency Department:

 1.      Concussions.  Look for changes in the child’s behavior, thinking or physical functioning – for instance, the child is answering questions slowly or having a hard time concentrating, has even a brief loss of consciousness, or can’t remember what happened before or after they got hit. More pronounced symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and sluggishness. A concussion is not something that gets better in a day or two. The child should be evaluated by a health professional soon after being hurt and will require close follow up. Even with a helmet on, a child can get a concussion. 

2.      Sprains, strains and fractures. These are the most common types of sports injuries the Emergency Department sees. Most people know to go to a hospital if the child can’t move the injured extremity, but they should also be evaluated for tingling or numbness. 

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