It’s National Youth Sports Safety Month in April, and a local expert in the Perry community gives advice on how to prevent younger individuals from getting injured.

According to 21st Century Rehab Doctor of Physical Therapy Matt MacDougall, he understands that injuries are apart of playing sports, but finds that athletes, and especially children, are more prone to getting hurt if they specialize in one sport. He says that kids that do this tend to overuse a particular muscle, causing repetitive injuries. MacDougall tells Raccoon Valley Radio that playing a variety of sports is beneficial for athleticism purposes, strength, as well as a decrease in injuries. 

He notes key areas to prevent damaged muscles is to incorporate a proper warm up and cool down while exercising, getting seven to nine hours of sleep, and drinking two to three liters of water daily. MacDougall reveals a common occurrence when a child doesn’t participate in a sport for a long period of time.

“During the offseason, if kids are just sitting and doing nothing, they’re playing video games or being on their phone, and then they play a sport, then that can also contribute to injury, just because they’re not used to that stress and strain on the muscles and joints from that lack of activity.”

MacDougall mentions that depending on which sport a kid competes in, it’s important to be set up with the proper equipment and to practice proper techniques to avoid injuries or concussions. He describes that 21st Century Rehab helps treat musculoskeletal injuries in the neck, shoulder, back, hip, knee, foot, ankle, as well as managing concussions.