By Alicia Wanek
Increasing Participation in Youth Sports
Children are participating in sports in unprecedented numbers. It is estimated that there are between 30 and 45 million young athletes in the United States, and with North Texas being the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country, many of these athletes are local children. The advantages of engaging in sports are numerous, but the risk of injury remains a constant concern. Each year, over 3.5 million medical visits by young athletes under the age of 14 are related to sports injuries. This surge in youth participation has created a growing demand for pediatric sports medicine specialists, leading facilities like the Children’s Health Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine to focus on both treating and preventing injuries.
Insights from Dr. James Andrews
Dr. James Andrews, the namesake of the center, recently addressed the matter of sports injuries among children during a visit to Dallas. With his extensive background, he is exceptionally qualified to discuss this topic. Dr. Andrews has held various prominent roles, including Senior Medical Consultant for the Washington Redskins, Orthopedic Medical Director for the Tampa Bay Rays, Medical Director for the Ladies Professional Golf Association, Medical Director and Orthopedic Surgeon for Auburn University, and a member of the Medical and Safety Advisory Committee for USA Baseball. He expresses pride in his affiliation with Children’s Health, stating, “Their commitment to funding this initiative goes above and beyond… Youth sports are thriving here. (North Texas) likely has one of the highest concentrations of youth sports in the nation… This facility is unique, and I commend the Dallas community.” The Institute is known for offering some of the top techniques in athletic training and treatment of sports-related injuries nationwide.
The Rise of Sports Injuries
Dr. Andrews reports that their records suggest that sports-related injuries have increased tenfold since 2000, with two primary factors contributing to this trend: specialization and professionalism. Young athletes are increasingly concentrating on one sport year-round and often train at high levels starting as early as age four. He asserts that this leads to “too much, too fast, too soon.” Overuse injuries are becoming more prevalent as children continuously engage the same muscle groups throughout the year. Baseball serves as a typical example of this issue; Dr. Andrews recalls an incident where his grandson was asked to pitch in four games in a single day. According to statistics from the American Sports Medicine Institute in Alabama, throwing arm injuries have surged by 7 to 10 times since 2000. In collaboration with the Andrews Research and Education Foundation in Pensacola, they have worked alongside USA Baseball and Little League to investigate the causes of these injuries through research on pitch type, pitch count, and pitching mechanics in youth players. As a result, pitch count regulations have been established in Little League Baseball across all 50 states, leading to a 35% reduction in injuries among high school players.
Promoting Diverse Athletic Participation
To help prevent overuse injuries, Dr. Andrews advocates for “sports sampling” among young athletes. He believes the notion that children must specialize is a myth, citing that 222 of the 253 players chosen in the 2017 NFL draft participated in multiple sports during high school, with 90% of players in Super Bowl LIII also being multi-sport athletes. These players have managed to maintain their health into adulthood without experiencing burnout at a young age. Dr. Andrews highlights that 70% of young athletes quit by the age of 13, depriving them of the benefits of exercise, teamwork, and healthy competition. This dropout is often the result of pressure from coaches and parents, coupled with mere exhaustion from playing.
Focus on Injury Prevention
Dr. John Polousky, a pediatric orthopedist and sports medicine director at the Andrews Institute in Plano, shares, “Not every patient will become a professional athlete, but our goal is to ensure they grow into healthy, professional adults.” The emphasis on injury prevention is crucial. In his book, Any Given Monday: Sports Injuries and How to Prevent Them, for Athletes, Parents, and Coaches – Based on My Life in Sports Medicine, Dr. Andrews comments, “It’s essential to reiterate the age-old saying; an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. An uninjured joint is always preferable to one that requires surgical repair. Yet, many young athletes are exerted to a degree where their bodies are wearing out much too quickly.” He further explains, “Families turn to me to mend their dreams, but I strive to ensure that parents and coaches learn how to avert those dreams from being shattered in the first place.”
Coaching Education and Training
Another fundamental aspect of prevention is the proper training and accreditation for youth coaches, encompassing the recognition and prevention of injuries. In Alabama, a curriculum developed by the Andrews Sports Foundation is being employed for mandatory accreditation under the “Coach Safely” Act. In April 2018, state legislators enacted a law requiring all paid and unpaid youth coaches to complete a free, 2-hour online course focusing on injury prevention and recognition.
Long-term Impact of Sports Participation
Dr. Andrews emphasizes, “Participating in sports fosters a healthy lifestyle that will benefit children for their entire lives, encouraging them to remain active.” The mission of the Andrews Institute is to help keep young athletes engaged on the field, in the gym, on the course, or in the water, while ensuring that they are enjoying their activities.
Editor’s Note
Dr. Andrews’ book, Any Given Monday: Sports Injuries and How to Prevent Them, for Athletes, Parents, and Coaches – Based on My Life in Sports Medicine, includes a comprehensive handbook with specific recommendations for 26 different sports, ranging from lacrosse to football to skiing and snowboarding. The book is published by Simon and Schuster and is available on Amazon. Dr. Andrews has also played a pivotal role in establishing the STOP (Sports Trauma and Overuse Prevention) campaign. For more details, visit www.stopsportsinjuries.org.
