The loads to which young athletes are subjected during training and matches are often greater than the threshold their musculoskeletal system can bear. Consequently, statistics revealing an increase in injuries among young athletes, such as the headline "One-Third of Child Athletes Injured," are not surprising.
Some injuries are acute (mechanical), while others result from overuse syndrome due to repetitive microtraumas exceeding the tissues' capacity—muscles, tendons, and ligaments—to regenerate.
In the initial years of sports involvement, injury frequency is not as dramatic, especially for young athletes aged 6-9. The loads are not as intense, flexibility is good, and competitive pressure is not pronounced. However, as the training intensity abruptly increases in the following years, without preparing the musculoskeletal system for such demands, coupled with the onset of pubertal growth spurts where muscle growth does not match bone development, a decrease in flexibility occurs, leading to an increase in sports injuries.
Regardless of the injury type, the American College of Sports Medicine believes that half of the sports injuries in young athletes could be prevented by allocating time for the development of motor abilities alongside sports skill development.
HALF OF SPORTS INJURIES CAN BE PREVENTED THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF MOTOR ABILITIES!
This emphasizes the importance of three primary methods for preventing sports injuries in young athletes:
- Developing proper movement techniques (running, acceleration, deceleration, stopping, landing).
- Strength training.
- Ensuring proper recovery.
Tailoring training according to the stage of a young athlete's sports development is implied.
Here we will further explain point 2. - strength training for young athletes.
Coaches must prioritize injury prevention by ensuring adequate preparation for the demands of a particular sport. The easiest and most efficient way is to integrate strength training (adjusted to the stages of sports development) into regular training.
For instance, the forces exerted on bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints during strength training provide stimuli that positively impact their development:
These changes in the musculoskeletal system will undoubtedly contribute to reducing numerous sports injuries faced by young athletes, especially in sports characterized by sudden changes in speed and direction, jumps, and a high number of repetitive movements (football, basketball, tennis, running, gymnastics, rowing, etc.).
Every injury hinders the development of a young athlete and can sometimes mean an early end to their career. Therefore, in the training process, the importance of injury prevention activities, including strength training, cannot be overlooked.
- In the book "Formula for Success in Sports 1", numerous strength exercises tailored to specific stages of sports development are provided. Proper exercise progression will enable the development of optimal strength—strength that will enhance on-field performance.
As a result, the number of sports injuries will significantly decrease.
-Igor Macner
References: Current comment from the American College of Sports Medicine. August 1993–“The prevention of sport injuries of children and adolescents”. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1993 Aug;25(8 Suppl):1-7. PMID: 8371662.
