Sports Safety

In Alberta, there are an average of 22,720 visits to the emergency department each year among children and youth that are related to sports.¹ 

For optimal health benefits, children and youth (aged 5 - 17 years) should have high levels of physical activity, low levels of sedentary behaviour, and sufficient sleep each day. Being active for at least 60 minutes per day and limiting their sedentary time to less than 2 hours per day can help children:

• Improve their health
• Do better in school
• Improve self-esteem and confidence
• Maintain a healthy body weight
• Improve their fitness
• Grow stronger
• Have fun playing with friends
• Feel happier
• Learn new skills
• Sleep

Review the Benefits & Guidelines Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth Ages 5 - 17 for more information.

Being involved in sport is beneficial for children’s physical and social development; however, involvement in sport can also pose a risk for injury. Common sports-related injuries include falls from skates, skis, and snowboards, being struck by or against sports equipment like a ball, hat, hockey stick, or puck, or being struck by or another player while participating in a sport activity. Common types of sports-related injuries include upper and lower extremity fractures and concussions. Minor injuries like bumps and bruises may be an unavoidable part of participating in sports; however, injury prevention can be incorporated into sports to ensure that children are able to be lifelong participants.

For emergency department visits for Alberta children aged 5 - 14 years, the top sports identified by code (not including playground and cycling which are addressed in other sections of this toolkit) are (in descending order): hockey, soccer / futsal, basketball, trampoline, football, non-motorized scooter, tobogganing / sledding / snow tubing and lacrosse.

There are things that children can do to stay injury free and keep playing the sports they love. Key strategies to prevent sports-related injuries among children include the following:

1. Always use the proper protective equipment for the sport that is being played. Different types of sports require different protective equipment. All of the protective gear, including helmets, should fit properly and be in good condition.

a. Wear the type of helmet that is appropriate for the sport. For example, a bicycle helmet is not a suitable helmet for playing hockey. Children should NOT wear a helmet on a playground. For more information, refer to the module in this toolkit called Concussion & Other Head Injuries.

2. Before participating in sports, remember to warm up with light aerobic exercise and cool down with stretching. This will help prevent injuries like muscle pulls, strains, and sprains. For resources that demonstrate warm ups and stretching, check out the University of Calgary’s Neuromuscular Training Resources or Let’s Warm Up handout.

3. When teaching children how to play a certain sport, use appropriate skill progression. Supervise children to make sure that the activity is appropriate to their level of skill and fitness.

a. If needed, modify activities so that children can perform the activity with proper form.
b. For additional information on how to stay safe while being physically active, please refer to the SPHEReS – School Physical Activity, Health & Education Resource for Safety.

4. Whenever children are engaging in physical activity, make sure that they are properly hydrated.

5. Ensure that children are dressed appropriately for the activity.

a. Children should be wearing sweat-wicking clothing and appropriate footwear.
b. Hoodie drawstrings, necklaces, or other jewelry should be removed, as these could get caught on sports equipment.
c. Make appropriate modifications and accommodations for children wearing cultural dress so that they may be able to participate in the activities safely.

6. Teach children that if they think that they or their friend may have experienced a blow to their head, neck or body, they should tell an adult and remove themselves from the activity. This could be a concussion. There are a wide variety of concussion symptoms, ranging from headaches, nausea, irritability, and blurred vision. For more information refer to the module in this toolkit called Concussion and Other Head Injuries.

7. Ensure that the area in which they play (field, soccer pitch, rink, skateboard park, etc.) is well maintained and free from hazards and that all equipment has been inspected. Avoid playing sports near physical obstacles such as trees or water with an adequate buffer zone to prevent out-of-bound injuries.

8. Model good sportsmanship. Aggression, inattentiveness and rule-breaking lead to increased risk of injury.