Over 50? Keeping Up With Your Healthcare Needs

Helping Your Child Prevent A Hockey Injury

10 October 2016

Nellie Ryan

Participating in hockey can be a great way to help your child get more exercise, learn discipline, and make new friends. The physical nature of hockey could place your child at risk of sustaining a sports-related injury if the necessary measures aren't taken to prevent these injuries.

Here are three things you can have your child do to reduce his or her risk of becoming injured while out on the ice.

1. Ensure equipment is worn properly

Protective equipment plays a vital role in protecting your child from serious injury during a hockey game, but this equipment can only provide maximum protection when worn properly. Work with your child to ensure that he or she knows how to put on elbow pads, shin guards, and a chest protector.

You should also stress to your child the importance of keeping the helmet strap buckled while out on the ice to reduce the risk of serious injury in the future.

2. Engage in strength training off the ice

Hockey requires a significant amount of strength and coordination. Young players must be able to balance on thin blades while pursuing the puck, avoiding collisions with other players, and running set plays. Serious injuries can occur when a young hockey player doesn't have the strength necessary to maintain proper balance while on the ice.

An improper skating position caused by poor conditioning can lead to muscle strains and other injuries. By having your child engage in strength training off the ice to improve his or her abdominal and lower body strength, the risk of your child sustaining an injury due to poor form can be reduced.

3. Use kinesio tape to support joints

Young children are still growing and developing, and this can leave their joints susceptible to injury while playing a game of hockey. You can reduce your child's risk of injury by having their joints taped using kinesio tape prior to any practice or game.

Kinesio tape is designed to tension that stabilizes the muscles and joints. You can visit a physical therapist for advice on the best way to tape your child before he or she gets on the ice to provide maximum protection against injury.

Keeping your child safe from harm should be a primary concern each time he or she steps out onto the ice. You can reduce your child's risk of sustaining a hockey-related injury by teaching them to wear proper equipment, creating an off-ice strength training program, and using kinesio tape for joint support. For more information, contact clinics like Staten Island Physical Therapy PC. 

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