Newswise — Exercise is excellent for young people to maintain physical fitness, and many teens are returning to high school sports or starting a new athletic activity. Increased participation in football, soccer, basketball and other sports also leaves athletes more susceptible to injury, but certain good practices can help protect them from being sidelined, according to Scott Rodeo, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon and co-chief emeritus, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City. The first step, and a requirement at most schools before the sports season begins, is medical clearance to certify that a young athlete has no underlying health problems. Every year in August, HSS offers a free comprehensive pre-season medical screening for students in the NYC Public Schools Athletic League to ensure that they are fit to play football. This year, more than 150 students took advantage of the extensive health screening.

Dr. Rodeo says a thorough physical exam, including a complete family history, is a critical first step. “It’s not enough for a doctor or clinic to do a cursory physical exam and sign a piece of paper granting medical clearance,” he says. “The complete physical should include a thorough family history of medical problems such as heart disease so we have important information about a young athlete’s potential for such problems.” It’s up to parents to ensure that their child is receiving a complete medical check-up before starting a rigorous sport.

“Every year in this country, we hear about a terrible tragedy – a teenage athlete who collapses on the field and dies,” he says. It’s a parent’s worst nightmare, and this sad event may be unavoidable in some cases. However, parents, coaches and the young athletes themselves should be aware of signs that it’s time to take a break, especially when practicing in hot, humid conditions.

Dr. Rodeo notes that in some states such as Florida and Texas, the hot weather continues well into the sports season. “In certain weather conditions, athletes may need water breaks every 15 minutes,” Dr. Rodeo says. “The old school philosophy of ‘toughing it out,’ is not the way to go. Those overseeing play need to be enlightened. If a kid is lagging or appears to be short of breath, he should be pulled out of the game.”

Fortunately, cases of teen athletes collapsing on the field are not common. However, players do get hurt. While certain injuries are more common in specific sports, good practices can reduce the risk of serious injury.

Dr. Rodeo has tips for young athletes, parents and coaches to ensure safe play in team sports: • Athletes need to stay hydrated. Water is adequate, but fluids with electrolytes are needed if athletes exercise more than two hours a day. • Make sure young athletes warm up properly to slowly increase the heart and breathing rate by doing low-intensity versions of the activity and stretching.• Any player who feels dizzy, light-headed or short of breath needs to get out of the game. This is especially important if playing or practicing in hot and humid conditions. Students need to know that they don’t have to “tough it out.”• Athletes can push themselves during practice, but should not go to complete exhaustion. Individuals can get into excellent shape without going to full fatigue.• Athletes should talk to their parents or coaches if they feel they’ve have been injured. There is no such thing as a mild concussion. Signs of a concussion include a headache, light sensitivity, appearing confused, and clumsiness. After a player is removed from a game, parents need to monitor their child at home to make sure symptoms aren’t worsening. • Limit weekly training time, number of repetitions and total distance to no more than a 10 percent increase each week.• Ensure the use of proper equipment for each sport: protective equipment should be the correct size, fit well and protect from top to bottom.• Players should be educated on the rules of the game: make sure they understand their role and position, as well as where to be to avoid being in harm’s way.• Serious injuries should be promptly evaluated and treated. If not, a severe injury can not only end a young athlete’s career, but cause ongoing pain and disability.• Even injuries that may be considered minor should be promptly evaluated by a medical professional so they do not cause more serious problems later on. • Parents should be vigilant to signs of burnout such as athlete’s fatigue, poor academic performance and complaints of nonspecific muscle or joint problems.• Stop teens from playing while injured: if a parent or coach spots a problem, allowing further activity could lead to a more severe and painful injury. All injuries need time to heal.• Keep it positive: emphasize that the focus of sports participation should be on fun, skill acquisition, sportsmanship and, above all else, safety. • Nutrition is important for recovery. Consume a carbohydrate bar or carbohydrate drink immediately after practice, followed by a meal one to two hours after to help maintain strength and endurance.• Athletes should always make sure they see what they hit. They should keep their head up when using proper blocking and tackling technique.• During practice, schools should have athletic trainers on the sidelines if possible. Hospital for Special Surgery offers a free PSAL Football Clinic on Monday afternoons open to all football players in the NYC Public Schools Athletic League who are injured during a game. For more information and to see a video, visit: http://www.hss.edu/psal.

About Hospital for Special SurgeryFounded in 1863, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) is a world leader in orthopedics, rheumatology and rehabilitation. HSS is nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics, No. 3 in rheumatology and No. 7 in geriatrics by U.S.News & World Report (2014-15), and is the first hospital in New York State to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center three consecutive times. HSS has one of the lowest infection rates in the country. HSS is a member of the New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System and an affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College and as such all Hospital for Special Surgery medical staff are faculty of Weill Cornell. The hospital's research division is internationally recognized as a leader in the investigation of musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases. Hospital for Special Surgery is located in New York City and online at www.hss.edu.