SUNDAY, May 25, 2003 (HealthDayNews) -- Is basketball a dangerous sport?
You might want to ask some of the more than 200,000 young people under age 15 who are treated for basketball-related injuries in U.S. emergency rooms each year before you answer.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), basketball is the fourth leading cause of injury in both unorganized settings and organized community teams nationwide. Girls are injured more often than boys, and many injuries to girls are more serious.
The ankle and knee are the most common sites of basketball injury, followed by the back, hand and wrist. Eye injuries are also common, as a result of contact with a finger or elbow of an opponent. Fortunately, most basketball injuries are preventable.
The CDC recommends these measures:
Make sure children have a physical exam before starting to play basketball.
Encourage children to wear all required safety gear every time they play. Knee and elbow pads protect against scrapes and bruises, and mouth guards prevent serious dental injury. If a child wears glasses, talk to an ophthalmologist or optician about sports eyewear.
For children younger than 7, encourage the league to use lighter balls that are easier to handle.
Teach children not to play through pain. When they are injured, seek medical care promptly, follow the doctor's orders and get medical approval before they return to the court.
Make sure first aid is available at all games and practices.
Inspect the court for safety. Baskets and boundaries should not be too close to walls, fences, bleachers or hazards. Pad the walls and goalposts.
Above all, keep the game fun. Putting too much emphasis on winning can make children push too hard and injure themselves.
More information
The Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh has some good ideas on helping children play basketball without getting injured.
