%20(1).png)
Common Sports-Related Injuries in School-Aged Children
- bhsportscoach
- Apr 13
- 5 min read
Sport plays a vital role in children’s physical, mental, and social development as we have mentioned in previous blogs. But, as children grow and become more active, they are also more prone to certain sports-related injuries, particularly during growth spurts. Understanding common injuries, how to manage them, and how to prevent them can help children stay healthy and active.
Common Injuries to Be Aware Of:
Overuse Injuries
These are generally caused by repeated stress on the same muscles or joints, often from playing the same sport year-round, overtraining, or poor technique.
Three common overuse injuries for young athletes and children (Adirim and Cheng, 2003). We'll expand on each injury below.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease (Knee Pain)
Sever’s Disease (Heel Pain)
Little League Elbow (Elbow Pain)
Osgood-Schlatter Disease (Knee Pain)
One of the most common growth-related condition in active children who run and jump frequently, affecting 1 out of 10 adolescents. (Chandra et al, 2024).
Symptoms:
Pain and swelling just below the knee, often worse after sport.
Management:
Reduce painful activities
Apply ice after exercise
Stretch tight muscles
Usually resolves once growth slows
Sever’s Disease (Heel Pain)
Another common growth related condition often seen during growth spurts in children involved in running and jumping sports (Øllgaard, 2023).
Symptoms:
Heel pain, limping, or walking on tiptoes.
Management:
Rest from high-impact activity
Ice the heel after sport
Use cushioned footwear or heel pads
Symptoms typically settle once growth is complete
Little League Elbow (Elbow Pain)
A common overuse injury in young athletes who partake in a lot of throwing activities (ie cricket, baseball and javelin) (typically 8-15 years old) caused by repetitive stress on the growth plate on the inside of the elbow (Shanley and Thigpen, 2013)
Symptoms:
Pain on the inner elbow, swelling, decreased throwing velocity and accuracy, and stiffness.
Management
Regular check-ups
Take rest away from any throwing activities
Ice
Anti-inflammatory medication
Physical therapy to improve strength
Sprains or Strains
Sprains and strains are common injuries during sport resulted from an overstretching or twisting action of the ligaments (sprain) or tendons/muscle fibres (strain) (NICE 2025). Unfortunately they can’t always be prevented, but common causes include not warming up properly before exercise and using tired muscles.
Is it a Strain or Sprain?
A sprain occurs when a ligament (the tissue that connects bone to bone) is stretched or torn.
Sprains in children most commonly happen in the ankles and knees.
A strain involves the stretching or tearing of muscle fibres or tendons (which connect muscle to bone).
Strains are usually seen in areas such as the foot, hamstrings, thigh muscles, and the back.
Symptoms:
Pain, tenderness, or weakness - typically around the affected area
Swelling or bruising in the affected area
Difficulty putting weight on the injury or using it as normal
Recovery:
Most sprains and strains improve within about two weeks.
Strenuous, high impact activities, such as running, should be avoided for up to eight weeks to reduce the risk of re-injury.
Most sprains and strains can be managed at home without needing to see a GP. This page should give you some helpful information to identify the problem yourself.
More severe sprains and strains may take several months to fully recover and should be seen to by a trained physiotherapist.
See R.I.C.E method below for recovery recommended by the NHS.
Alternative wording your child might use:
"I've twisted/rolled my ankle" is likely to be a sprain
"I've pulled my hamstring" is likely to be a strain
Recovering From Sports Injuries
The R.I.C.E. Method (NHS, 2024)
Rest: Avoid activities that cause pain
Ice: Apply for 15–20 minutes to reduce swelling every 2-3 hours
Compression: Use bandages if advised to help support the injured area
Elevation: Raise the injured area to reduce swelling
Additional Recovery Tips
Overuse injuries often need weeks of rest from the activity causing issues.
Low-impact exercise such as swimming or cycling are ways to help maintain fitness
Seek medical advice if pain persists, limping occurs, or swelling worsens
Physical therapy can help restore strength, flexibility, and movement
Return to sport gradually to prevent re-injury. Don’t rush back too quickly
How to Reduce the Risk of Injury
Warm up and cool down before and after activity
Encourage multi-sport participation to avoid repetitive strain
Use appropriate protective equipment for each sport
Prioritise rest. Don’t underestimate the importance of recovery
Support hydration and nutrition to fuel growing bodies
*If a child experiences ongoing pain or discomfort, always seek advice from a healthcare professional.
Why Injury Prevention Matters
Children’s bones, muscles, and growth plates are still developing, making them more vulnerable to injury. Preventing injuries, especially overuse injuries, helps children stay active, confident, and motivated. Playing a variety of sports builds balanced strength, coordination, and resilience, while also reducing burnout and repetitive stress.
How BHSports Can Help
At BHSports, we are committed to keeping children active, healthy, and injury-free. If a child is managing an injury, we will provide recovery tips by offering appropriate, low-impact exercises they can complete during the day.
Our programmes focus on:
Age-appropriate training and skill development
Encouraging movement variety and multi-sport participation
Promoting rest and recovery
Supporting injured children with safe, modified activities
Although I am not a qualified physiotherapist or doctor, I have, through my honours degree, as well as my experience in coaching, playing, and teaching, gained valuable insight from experts in the field who have worked extensively with both childhood and adult injuries - some of which are outlined above.
Conclusion
As children grow and train, especially during growth spurts, they become more vulnerable to certain injuries. Being aware of common sports-related conditions, recognising early warning signs, and understanding how to manage and prevent injuries can make a significant difference. When issues do arise, early rest and appropriate management are key to a full recovery and a confident return to activity. In our next blog, we're going to look at the science behind the importance of rest.
If your child currently has an injury and you’d like advice or ideas to help support their recovery, please don’t hesitate to contact us at bhsportscoach@gmail.com
References
Adirim, T, A., Cheng, T, L (2003). Overview of injuries in the young athlete. Access online here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12477379/
Chandra, R., Malik, S., Ganti, L., Minkes, R (2024) . Diagnosis and Management of Osgood Schlatter Disease. Access online here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11262732/
Krause B. L., Williams J. P., Catterall A. (1990). Natural history of Osgood-Schlatter disease (1990). Access online here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2298897/
NHS (2024). Sprains and strains. Access online here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sprains-andstrains/#:~:text=How%20to%20treat%20sprains%20and,or%20syrup%20that%20you%20swallow.
Øllgaard, P. (2023). Sever’s Disease – a common cause of heel pain among sport-active children. Access online here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10541757/
Shanley, E., and Thigpen, C. (2013). Throwing injuries in the adolescent athlete. Access online here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3811729/
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2025). Sprains and strains. Access online here: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/sprains-strains/
Comments