[Athletic injuries in children]

Sports participation can have both beneficial and negative effects. Specific effects are injuries. The change of incidence is dependent on a number of personal and environmental factors. Epidemiological research in the Netherlands in school aged children has shown that sports injuries occur primarily in club sport, even more during competition. The injuries are localised in the lower limbs: especially the knee and the ankle. The injuries are distortions and contusions and fewer fractures and muscle tears. The number of overuse injuries seems to be rising because children are doing increasingly more intensive sport at younger ages. A preventive sports medical examination has been discussed as well as the preventive effect of warming-up and cooling down, stretching exercises, rehabilitation, taping, rules of play and sports facilities. Finally, attention has been given to the general care of sports injuries in the way of active and functional guidance in the healing process.