Top 5 Most Common Sports Injuries in Young Athletes — And How to Prevent Them

For many young athletes, summer is a season filled with sports camps, tournaments, and team practices. It’s also a time when sports injuries are on the rise. Whether your child plays soccer, baseball, football, or runs track, their growing bodies are at a higher risk for strains, sprains, and more serious injuries.

At Midlothian Medical and Sports Center, we’re passionate about helping young athletes stay healthy, recover faster, and build strength for long-term success. Let’s take a closer look at the five most common sports injuries in young athletes and how to help prevent them.

1. Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains are one of the most frequent injuries in youth sports. Quick stops, sudden turns, or awkward landings can easily twist the ankle, stretching or tearing the ligaments.

Prevention Tips:

• Encourage dynamic warm-ups before activity
  
• Use proper footwear designed for the sport
  
• Strengthen ankle and calf muscles with targeted exercises
  
• Reinforce balance training to improve stability

2. Knee Injuries (Including ACL Tears)

Knee injuries like ACL tears or patellar tendinitis are becoming increasingly common in young athletes, especially those involved in sports that involve jumping or pivoting, such as basketball or soccer.

Prevention Tips:

• Include strength training for hamstrings and quadriceps
  
• Teach proper landing and cutting techniques
  
• Limit repetitive stress with varied activities or cross-training
  
• Address any signs of knee pain early

3. Shin Splints

Pain along the shin bone, often referred to as shin splints, is common in runners and athletes who increase their training intensity too quickly. It’s a sign the muscles and bones are overstressed.

Prevention Tips:

• Ensure shoes provide proper arch support
  
• Avoid training on hard surfaces whenever possible
  
• Gradually increase training intensity and duration
  
• Incorporate rest days and stretching into routines

4. Shoulder Injuries

Overhead movements in sports like baseball, volleyball, and swimming can lead to shoulder strains, rotator cuff injuries, or instability, especially in younger athletes who are still developing.

Prevention Tips:

• Focus on shoulder and upper back strengthening exercises
  
• Limit repetitive throwing or overhead movements
  
• Use proper throwing mechanics
  
• Encourage regular rest and recovery

5. Overuse Injuries

Perhaps the most concerning category of injuries in young athletes, overuse injuries develop slowly over time due to repetitive stress on a specific part of the body. These can include stress fractures, tendonitis, and growth plate injuries.

Prevention Tips:

• Encourage multiple sports instead of specializing too early
  
• Prioritize rest and recovery
  
• Listen to the body and address minor pain before it worsens
  
• Use ice and elevation for inflammation management when needed

The Importance of Early Intervention

Ignoring pain or pushing through discomfort can lead to long-term damage, especially in growing athletes. At Midlothian Medical and Sports Center, we use functional physical therapy and sports medicine to assess the root cause of injury and help your child recover the right way.

Through personalized treatment plans, mobility training, and strength-building exercises, our team helps athletes return to sport safely and stronger than before. We also focus on prevention, empowering young athletes to better understand their bodies, move with proper mechanics, and avoid future injuries.

Build a Stronger, Safer Future for Your Young Athlete

Summer should be about making memories, not missing games due to injury. Whether your child is experiencing early signs of strain or recovering from a sports injury, Midlothian Medical and Sports Center is here to help.

Our team is experienced in pediatric and teen sports injury care, with services including functional PT, injury prevention training, and tailored recovery programs.