Why Active Kids Keep Getting Injured (And How Parents Can Help Prevent It)
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Youth sports injuries are on the rise - and many parents are left wondering why.
Sprains, strains, stress fractures, and even ACL tears are now happening in kids as young as 6 or 7. In fact, nearly 50% of youth sports injuries today are caused by overuse rather than a single unlucky fall. (Journal of Athletic Training, 2019)
The good news? Many of these injuries are preventable.
At Arvonne, we believe that understanding the risks and knowing how to reduce them is one of the best ways parents and coaches can protect young athletes. Here are five key factors driving the injury trend, and simple steps to help keep kids safe and strong.
1. Not Enough Rest
More kids today are playing sports year-round, often on multiple teams at once. While this keeps them active, it leaves little time for rest and recovery, which their growing bodies need.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids should take at least 1–2 days off per week from sports and at least 2–3 months off per year from organized sports.
Without proper rest, muscle fatigue builds up, small injuries aren’t given time to heal, and the risk of overuse injuries increases significantly.
2. Early Specialization
Another growing factor is early sport specialization, where children focus on just one sport from a very young age, training in that sport exclusively year-round.
While this can sometimes give kids an edge in the short term, it also increases the risk of overuse injuries, burnout, and even loss of long-term interest in the sport.
A 2021 review in Sports Health found that early specialization is linked to higher injury rates and burnout, and recommends that kids play multiple sports especially before age 12.
Encouraging kids to explore a variety of sports not only supports healthier physical development, it can also make them better athletes in the long run.
3. Missing Injury Prevention
Even in well-run youth leagues, injury prevention is often an afterthought. Warm-ups are rushed. Strength training and flexibility aren’t always included. Kids are taught how to play, but not how to protect their bodies.
Building strength, mobility, and proper movement mechanics can dramatically lower injury risk. And yet, most kids aren’t getting consistent exposure to these fundamentals.
This gap was one of the reasons we started Arvonne. Young athletes deserve better and injury prevention should be part of every child’s sports experience.
4. Growth Spurts
As kids grow, their bodies change rapidly. Growth spurts can temporarily disrupt coordination, balance, and muscle control - all of which can increase injury risk.
During periods of rapid growth, children’s bones can grow faster than muscles and tendons can adapt, making them especially vulnerable to strains, sprains, and overuse injuries.
Parents and coaches should be aware of these growth windows and adjust expectations accordingly, building in more recovery time and focusing on movement quality.
5. Playing Through Pain
In too many youth sports environments, kids are encouraged to “tough it out” and play through discomfort.
But ignoring small signs of injury can lead to much bigger problems down the road. Kids need to be taught that listening to their bodies is a strength, not a weakness.
If a child complains of pain, it’s important to take it seriously and give them time to rest and recover. Long-term health should always take priority over short-term performance.
Quick Tips for Parents
Here are a few simple ways parents can help their kids stay strong, safe, and injury-free:
✅ Build in rest days and off-seasons
✅ Encourage multi-sport play, especially at younger ages
✅ Prioritize proper warm-ups and mobility work
✅ Watch for growth spurts and adjust training accordingly
✅ Teach kids to listen to their bodies and not push through pain
The Bottom Line
Many youth sports injuries are preventable.
By helping kids balance training with rest, supporting well-rounded athletic development, and building awareness around injury prevention, we can create a safer and healthier sports experience for every child.
At Arvonne, we believe that injury prevention should be part of every young athlete’s journey. That’s why we create products and resources to help kids move better, recover faster, and stay in the game for life.
If you found this helpful, share it with a parent, coach, or league. Together we can help more kids stay safe and strong.