Current comment from the American College of Sports Medicine. August 1993--"The prevention of sport injuries of children and adolescents".

Many children and adolescents choose to participate in organized sports for fun and fitness, and to develop sports skills. However, new injury patterns are developing as the number of children and adolescents in organized sports increases--injury patterns that were not apparent when youth spent most of their sport and fitness time in free play. Up to one half of all injuries that are sustained by children and adolescents while playing organized sports are likely preventable. Attention to physical deficits, training methods, safety equipment, and psychological health should decrease the incidence of these injuries. As the governing bodies of specific sports develop safety guidelines for young athletes, adults involved with youth sports must become aware of these guidelines and assist with their implementation. This pronouncement addresses methods for decreasing the number and severity of these injuries. It delineates injury prevention strategies that should be included in the pre-participation examination; stresses the importance of adherence to recommended training principles; and discusses appropriate modifications of game rules and sport and fitness activities as needed for individuals who would likely be at risk for injury should adult rules and training methods be followed. Children and adolescents should include fitness exercises in the training routine, rather than devoting all of each training session to the development of specific skills required for a certain sport. The fitness activities may be geared toward the strength, endurance, and flexibility requirements of the specific sport, but should not exclude other components of a well-rounded general fitness program.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)