Participating in sports at a young age is a great way for them to exercise and build leadership and teamwork skills. Unfortunately, doing sports at a young age poses a risk for injury. Here’s how parents and coaches can create a safe athletic environment:

• Use Appropriate Protective Gear: Protective gear is extremely important especially in contact sports like soccer, hockey, and football. Helmets and pads that are properly fitted can reduce the risk of spine-related injuries. 
• Prioritize Warm-Ups and Cool Downs: Warming up helps to boost blood flow, increase flexibility, and gets the muscles ready for more intense activities. Cooling down helps to prevent stiffness and soreness.
• Promote Rest and Recovery: Youth sports can often glorify excessive training and conditioning, which make it rough on young athletes. It’s important to promote rest and recovery to prevent stress fractures.