Your child is a star on the field. You see their passion, their dedication, and their love for the game. But what if I told you there’s a SILENT KILLER lurking in youth sports, one that could sideline your young athlete for months, or even have long-term consequences?
It’s not a dramatic, bone-crunching tackle. It’s something much quieter, and far more common: Growth Related Injuries.
As a parent, you want to protect your child. But are you aware of the hidden dangers that come with being a young, growing athlete? The truth is, most parents aren’t. It’s time to shine a light on the silent killer in youth sports.
What Are Growth Related Injuries (And Why Are They So Dangerous)?
During ages of approximately 10-16, your child is going through a massive growth spurt. Their bones are growing faster than their muscles and tendons, creating a dangerous imbalance. This makes them highly susceptible to growth plate injuries.
Think of a growth plate as the “weak link” in your child’s body. It’s the soft area where new bone tissue is formed. During a growth spurt, this area is even softer and more prone to damage.
And here’s the scary part: most of the time these injuries often don’t happen from a single, dramatic event. They’re the result of repetitive stress from playing the same sport, day in and day out.
That’s why we call them “SILENT KILLERS.” They creep up slowly, with little warning. A little soreness here, a little stiffness there. It’s easy to dismiss these as normal growing pains. But they’re not. They’re red flags.
The Shocking Statistics Every Parent Needs to Know
The numbers are alarming:
Overuse injuries account for up to 54% of all youth sports injuries
More than 3.5 million children under 14 are treated for sports-related injuries yearly
Sports ranks as the SECOND leading cause of emergency room visits among youth
Serious shoulder and elbow injuries have increased FIVE-FOLD over 25 years
This isn’t just about bumps and bruises. We’re talking about injuries that can lead to chronic pain if not handled appropriately
The Two Most Common “Silent Killers”
1. Sever’s Disease (Heel Pain)
Despite the name, this is NOT a disease! It affects boys aged 8-10 and girls aged 10-12 who participate in activities with alot of running, deceleration, change of direction and jumping activities. Warning signs include heel pain during activity that eases with rest.
2. Osgood Schlatter’s Disease (Knee/Shin Pain)
Around 10% of all children and 21% of youth athletes get this condition. It’s even more common in athletes who specialize early in only one sport. Look for pain during running, deceleration, change of direction, jumping, or squatting, plus swelling below the knee cap.
Why Early Specialisation INfluences growth related injuries
Think of your child’s body like a car. If you drive one car every day for 10 years, it wears out. But if you have three cars and drive each one for a third of the year, those cars will last 30 years.
If your child plays the same sport year-round, they’re wearing their body out due to repeptitive movement patterns and low revoery time. But if they play a variety of sports, they’re using different muscle groups and giving their body recovery time.
Are You Making This DEADLY Mistake?
Early specialization is one of the BIGGEST risk factors for growth-related injuries. Many well-meaning parents think they’re giving their child a competitive edge by playing for multiple teams, doing extra 1-1 skills sessions and never taking a day off, but they’re actually putting them on the fast track to growth related injuries.
Youth sports have changed from seasonal pastimes to year-round commitments. Their bodies are still developing.
What to Watch For: The Red Flags
Here’s what to look for:
Pain that gets worse with activity
Limping or favouring one side of the body
Swelling or tenderness in a specific area
A decrease in performance or loss of interest in the sport
Changes in form or technique
If you notice any of these red flags, don’t ignore them. Don’t tell your child to “tough it out.” YOU are your child’s best advocate.
The Growth Spurt Survival Guide: Your Ultimate Action Plan
We’ve created “The Growth Spurt Survival Guide,” an exclusive in person workshop at The Athlete Academy with specialist Paediatric Physiotherapist Angela Jackson. Angela has helped hundreds of young athletes safely navigate their growth spurts and is on a mission to help educate parents and athletes on how to overcome these types of injuries.
That’s what led to her setting up www.kidsback2sport.com which I would highly recommend checking out! Angela is my go to expert for Growth Related Injuries, so when I heard she was coming to Scotland to deliver a workshop for Physios and Coaches – I pounced and collaborated with her to ensure we can get her to deliver to Parents & Athletes here too!
In this live, interactive workshop, you’ll learn:
How Growth & Maturation influence injury risk in youth athletes
Why Sleep, Nutrition and Training Balance are key to managing growth related injuries
The top 3 MOST common growth related injuries in youth sports
How to avoid risky spikes in training load that trigger growth related injuries
Angela’s “Safe Return to Sport” protocol
Simple ways parents can monitor wellness in youth athletes
This isn’t just another boring webinar. It’s a practical guide that will give you the tools and confidence you need to protect your child from the silent killer of growth related injuries in youth sports.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Don’t wait until your child is limping off the field. Don’t wait until they’re in tears because their heel or knee hurts.
Be proactive. Be informed. Be the parent who keeps their child safe and in the game.
Spaces are limited to 30 tickets and they will go FAST!
Each ticket is valid for 1 Parent & 1 Child. That way we have both of the key parties in the room to hear the same information, from the same expert, at the same time, to help you tackle Growth Related Injuries as a team! and they WILL fill up fast.
In order to ensure we can plan appropriately we have set registration deadline is 12noon on Saturday 6th September.
Don’t let your child become another victim. Your child’s health is in your hands.
