Break Point!

Break Point is produced by Loyola University, Burn and Shock Trauma Institute Injury Prevention Program. Please call us at (708) 327-2455 with any comments or questions.

• Individual risk factors ( such as: undiagnosed or diagnosed health disorders, obesity, lack of proper physical conditioning)
• Poorly fitting or inadequate equipment
• Grouping children according to age and not by size
• Lack of warm up and cool down exercises

• Use slow, static stretching techniques in which the muscle is stretched at the end of its range of motion. A good approach is to "stretch to the point of discomfort and hold this position".
• Include at least one exercise for each major muscle group of the body in a flexibility program.
• Warm up sufficiently before stretching, as "cold" muscles are easily torn and damaged. Light aerobic exercise and sport specific activities are recommended as appropriate warm-up exercise.
• Incorporate stretching exercises into a "cool-down" routine, as active cool-downs aid in muscle recovery and prevent muscle soreness.

1. Wearing safety goggles (lensed polycarbonate protectors) for racquet sports or basketball.
2. Batting helmets with polycarbonate face shields for youth baseball.
3. Helmets and face shields approved by the U.S. Amateur Hockey Association when playing hockey.
4. Be aware that regular glasses or contacts do not provide protection to the eye.

Sports participation has become a major cause of serious injuries among children less than 16 years. The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) has placed coaching education and training of coaches as priorities for the prevention of these injuries. The American Medical Association passed a resolution urging youth baseball and softball organizations to adopt policies for the use of protective equipment. They are also encouraging sponsors of organized youth sports activities to adopt written emergency and first responder plans.

The United States is the only country in the major sporting world that does not have a national coaching education program. There are no federal laws requiring coaching education at any level of competition. Less than 10 % of the 2.5 million volunteer coaches and less than one third of inter-scholastic coaches have had any type of coaching training.

According to Congressman William O. Lipinski's (D-IL) office in Washington, "there are over three thousand bills being introduced and none of them refer to youth sports safety." In Texas, Senate Bill 183 by Shapiro addresses with training programs for youth sports coaches. The bill would require the State to adopt minimum training standards for coaches, and standards to address the medical, legal, and first-aid aspects of coaching.

The American Red Cross, National Youth Sports Coaches Association and the American Coaching Effectiveness Program all offer Sports Safety programs.

• National Electrical Safety Month
• National Bike Month
• National Sake Kids Week (5/3-5/9)
• National Emergency Medical Services Week (5/17-5/23)