Sports injuries are common among athletes and often impact the foot, ankle, wrist, or head. But what are some of the most common types of injuries in high school sports? Who is most at risk of injury? For starters, some of the more common sports injuries among high school athletes involve the feet and ankles, with football, basketball, and soccer being the main culprits. Of all the injuries a high school athlete can suffer from, ankle sprains are the most common. Fortunately, ankle sprains are also fairly quick to heal.
Other common injuries sustained by high school athletes include head and brain injuries. While there are far fewer of these injuries than there are of ankle sprains and other foot or ankle injuries, head and brain injuries can leave a lasting impact on an athlete’s life, especially younger athletes. That’s because their brains are still developing.
No matter what sport a high school athlete plays, however, there is always a risk of injury. Even teens playing non-contact sports are still vulnerable to injuries. For example, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently found that an estimated 764 teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 sustained injuries while playing on their school’s bowling teams. In fact, bowling was ranked number 20 on a list of the most dangerous sports for high school athletes. Football also made the list, but surprisingly not because of head injuries. Instead, football players are more likely to suffer a sprained ankle or broken bone over sustaining a head injury.
Who Is Most at Risk of Being Injured?
While there are certain risks for everyone playing sports, there are risk factors that make certain people more susceptible being injured. Some of these factors include the following:
- Past Injuries: If you’ve ever sustained an injury, such as a sprained ankle or broken arm, your likelihood of being injured again is higher than someone who hasn’t been injured in the past. Studies have found this to be especially true in sports like gymnastics, basketball, and others that involve a lot of jumping around and landing.
- You Prefer High-Contact Sports: Sports with a lot of player-on-player contact are more likely to see injuries, such as ankle sprains, than non-contact sports. These types of sports would include soccer, football, rugby, and even basketball.
Even if you do enjoy high-contact sports or have experienced previous injuries, you shouldn’t let the fear of sustaining an injury keep you from playing a sport you love. Life is full of risks, and playing sports is no exception.