High school athletes frequently get injured because they are still growing rapidly during puberty, which can lead to uneven muscle and bone development, making them more susceptible to overuse injuries, particularly when specializing in one sport year-round without proper rest and recovery; this can result in muscle strains, tendonitis, and growth plate injuries, especially in contact sports like football and basketball.
- Growth spurts: During rapid growth phases, muscles and tendons may not keep pace with bone growth, causing strain and vulnerability to injury.
- Overuse injuries: Playing one sport excessively without adequate rest can lead to repetitive stress on joints and tendons, causing overuse injuries like shin splints, jumper's knee, or tennis elbow.
- Improper technique: Lack of proper form or mechanics in a sport can put undue stress on specific body parts, increasing injury risk.
- Inadequate warm-up and cool-down: Not properly preparing the body before exercise or cooling down afterwards can increase the chance of muscle strains and pulls.
- Playing through pain: Ignoring pain signals and continuing to play can worsen existing injuries.
- Lack of conditioning: Poor overall fitness can contribute to fatigue and increased injury risk.
- Early specialization: Focusing on only one sport at a young age can limit the development of different muscle groups and increase the risk of overuse injuries.
How to prevent high school sports injuries:
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Diversify sports: Play multiple sports throughout the year to engage different muscle groups and avoid overuse.
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Proper training: Focus on strength training and flexibility exercises to build muscle balance and prevent injuries.
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Rest and recovery: Allow adequate rest days between practices and games to prevent fatigue and promote healing.
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Warm-up and cool-down: Always perform a thorough warm-up before activity and cool down afterwards.
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Listen to your body: Report pain to coaches and seek medical attention if necessary.
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Proper equipment: Use appropriate protective gear for the sport.
Epidemiology of Sports Injuries Among High School Athletes in the United States: Data From 2015 to 2019
Sports-Related Injuries in Adolescent Athletes: A Systematic Review
Professional athletes frequently get injured due to the high-intensity demands of their sport, which puts immense stress on their bodies, often leading to overuse injuries from repetitive motions, coupled with factors like poor training practices, inadequate recovery time, playing through pain, and sometimes inherent physical limitations specific to their body structure; all of these can contribute to increased injury risk compared to the general population.
Key reasons for athlete injuries:
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Overtraining:Pushing the body too hard without sufficient rest, leading to muscle fatigue and increased vulnerability to injuries.
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Improper technique:Incorrect form during exercises can strain muscles and joints, increasing injury risk.
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Rapid intensity increase:Increasing training intensity too quickly without proper adaptation can lead to injuries.
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Playing through pain:Ignoring pain signals and continuing to play can worsen existing injuries.
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Lack of flexibility and strength imbalances:Poor muscle flexibility and imbalances can put stress on specific joints, making them more prone to injury.
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Contact sports:The inherent nature of contact sports like football or hockey increases the risk of traumatic injuries from collisions.
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Poor recovery practices:Not allowing enough time for the body to heal between training sessions can contribute to overuse injuries.
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Sports specialization:
Focusing on only one sport year-round can lead to repetitive stress on specific body parts, increasing injury risk.
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Previous injuries:
A history of injuries can leave the body more vulnerable to future injuries in the same area.
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Physical factors:
Some athletes may have inherent anatomical variations that predispose them to certain types of injuries.
Epidemiology of Sports-Related Injuries and Associated Risk Factors in Adolescent Athletes: An Injury Surveillance
Award-winning west Fargo coach Pat Johnson resigns after video shows him cross-checking players during practice
Feb 20, 2025
An internal investigation by West Fargo Public Schools found that former girls hockey and softball coach, and six-time coach of the year honoree Pat Johnson intentionally cross-checked two players during a January 28 practice drill at West Fargo Sports Arena. Video footage showed Johnson using his hockey stick to push two players to the ground within 30 seconds, including one with a prior back injury. When confronted with the evidence, administrators said he would be placed on leave pending investigation, but Johnson resigned from both his hockey and softball coaching positions, saying “I’m done.” In support of their former coach, 22 West Fargo softball alumni came forward in a letter emphasizing how Johnson positively affected their time with the sport, and that this recent event did not reflect their experiences with him. The decorated coach had led teams to multiple state championships in hockey, and notably, 20 consecutive softball titles from 1997 to 2017, but the district stated he will not be offered future coaching opportunities.
WEST FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) FEB. 19, 2025 - An investigation summary, shared by West Fargo school leaders, reveals new details about what led to the resignation of a long-time girls’ high school hockey coach.
Pat Johnson resigned from his position as head coach of the West Fargo United Girls’ Hockey program earlier this month. The program is a co-op, consisting of all three West Fargo high schools.
According to the investigation summary, video shows Johnson cross-checking two players in the back during a January practice. Officials found Johnson was in violation of conduct approved by West Fargo Public Schools, due to the physical actions with student athletes.
In late January, two players reached out to the Sheyenne high school activities director. They players requested a meeting, and one of them asked about access to Live Barn, which is the live stream system used in the West Fargo Sports Arena.
The activities director met with one of the players who said she witnessed Johnson cross-check another player in the back. When school leaders accessed video of the practice, they found a second student was knocked down to the ice in a similar fashion seconds later.
The girls were doing a drill where they had to skate backwards. According to the report, video shows a student skating backwards near Johnson and it looks like they’re about to collide. He extends his arm, holding a hockey stick, into the girl’s back and causes her to fall. The same thing happens with another girl seconds later.
On Feb. 5, school leaders interviewed Johnson who recalled the situation right away. He told them he couldn’t get out of the way and was stopping himself from being put to the ground.
Officials told him they understood, but that using his hockey stick to move the girls was not appropriate. They said he made an intentional move to skate in the line of the players. The added they were concerned that he didn’t check to see if they were ok, which Johnson denies.
When officials informed Johnson he would be placed on leave for an investigation, he decided to resign. Johnson also resigned from his softball coaching position. West Fargo school leaders say they will not provide Johnson with further coaching opportunities.
Despite all of this, Valley News Live spoke with several former athletes who spoke highly of Johnson. At least 25 athletes created a letter, voicing their support. You can watch that story by clicking the link.
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