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People think of professional athletes when they hear the words Sporting Injuries, but these problems are affecting even our youth today. As more children participate in organized sports and strive for excellence, their growing bodies are breaking down under the strain.

Kids were always coming home with bumps and bruises, but most could be treated with a kiss from Mom and a band-aid. A trip to the emergency room took care of real crises. However, vacant-lot games have given way to coached sports, where the demands are higher. Even cheer-leading is competitive and can be more dangerous than playing the actual sport.

Kids who love to compete also go from one sport to the next, playing football, basketball, and then baseball. In summer, they attend a sport camp. Their growing bodies never get a real break from sustained effort. Parents who have an eye on scholarship help with college tuition might push, but often it is the child who feels driven to excel.

Popularity in school is at stake, and anyone can dream of Olympic gold. Excellence requires practice, and a talented child or teen will sometimes practice hours a day seven days a week. Repetition brings perfection, but it also places unnatural stress on growing bodies.

A sports medicine specialist is trained to spot signs of over-exertion. Things like 'Little League Elbow' are in reality severe and debilitating signs of stress that need special treatment if lifelong disability is to be avoided. Gymnasts, team players, figure skaters, and even cheerleaders are showing up in doctor's offices with serious problems.

What can parents do to help? First of all, any child who plays a sport should maintain a basic level of physical fitness unrelated to the sport itself. Cross-training is the term for exercise that tones the whole body, focusing on different muscles so no single part of the body is under attack each and every day. A session with a personal trainer can produce an outline for weekly work-outs.

Both parents and coaches should emphasize proper warm-up and cool-down techniques, which are designed to allow muscles to relax. Practices should increase slowly in intensity, so the players do more as they get fitter. Three days a week of practice are enough. Too much too soon can pave the way for future problems.

In an ideal world, all coaches would be certified in their sport, but more often they are enthusiastic parents working on a volunteer basis. This is why parents need to know the proper procedures and know that these, as well as safety measures, are being followed.