Summertime Sports Safety

The warm summer months are the perfect time to get out and enjoy your favorite outdoor sport. If you’re not careful, however, jumping in too fast could lead to a painful injury. 

Want to sidestep summer sports injuries? Remember these tips from Frank Taddeo, MD, CHI Saint Joseph Medical Group – Orthopedics.

Diversify. According to Dr. Taddeo, a main cause of sports-related injury in young athletes is overuse. This can be prevented by not participating in the same sport year-round. Have your children participate in more than one sport throughout the year.

“Sports diversification is one of the most important things,” Dr. Taddeo said. “It’s especially beneficial for younger kids and those just getting into sports.”

Start low and go slow. While all athletes should diversify, adults often suffer injury due to going too hard too fast. Avoid this pitfall by taking it easy when getting started.

“When getting back into activity, just walking around the block is a good start,” Dr. Taddeo said.

In the event you suffer a summertime sports injury, don’t ignore it. Ice the injured area and rest. If these steps don’t work after a few days, seek medical attention.

Have you or a loved one suffered a summertime sports injury? To find a provider who can get you off the injured list and back in the game, visit CHISaintJosephHealth.org/find-a-provider.

A version of this article originally appeared in the Summer 2021 edition of Spirit of Health. For more stories like this one, subscribe to Spirit of Health magazine today.