Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
The weather’s getting warmer, and it’s the time of year for kids to head outside to play, whether just enjoying the outdoors on their own or as part of a team sport. Exercise is important for good health and for preventing obesity, but there are some risks. This week on Health Watch, we’ll talk about making sports and other activities as safe as possible.
Sports are the leading cause of injury for teens, and most of these injuries could be prevented with the right training and equipment. Dr. Luis Palacios, a sports medicine expert at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says you should always use the right protective gear for your sport. The equipment should be in good condition and needs to fit properly in order to provide the best protection, and you should make sure you’re using it properly. Adult supervision is also important.
Next: Some other sports safety tips.
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April 2007
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