Sprains vs. Strains: Decoding Your Child's Injury

February 24, 2026 –

For active children, sprains and strains are among the most common injuries. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they refer to different types of injuries, and understanding the distinction can help parents recognize what may be going on.

How to Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses in Children this Summer

June 27, 2022 – Children are especially vulnerable to heat-related illnesses because their bodies do not adjust to changes in temperature the same way adults do. Children tend to sweat less and produce more body heat; because they are less aware of their bodies, children can quickly succumb to the heat. Learn how to prevent heat-related illnesses and what are the signs and symptoms to look out for.

Bone Fractures in Children

May 18, 2022 – Whether your child spends a lot of free time on a sports team, at a dance class or simply playing outdoors, injuries are common in active children. Therefore, when your child falls, it is good for parents to know how to care for injuries, particularly if they suspect there is a fracture.

Recognize Concussion Injuries in Athletes

March 02, 2022 – Did you know that 1 to 3 million sports-related brain injuries occur in the U.S. each year? Sports-related concussions can occur due to a jolt to the head, neck, or trunk that causes increased movement in the brain. A blow to the head or loss of consciousness need not occur for an injury to be considered a concussion. The Sports Health Program explains how to identify concussions and what to do when you suspect your athlete may have suffered a concussion.
 

Injury Prevention and Performance for Young Athletes

February 17, 2021 – Christian Gerstenkorn, lead athletic trainer with the Sports Health Program at Nicklaus Children's, provides an overview on ways to prevent injuries and maintain performance in youth sports.

Sports Nutrition in Kids and Teens

May 13, 2019 – Exercising and being active is only half the battle. In order for children and adolescents to have the best chance at becoming successful athletes they need to fuel their bodies appropriately. A common misconception is that because a child may be very active, he or she can eat anything because it will burn off in practice. While the child may burn many calories in practice or competition, he or she will not be playing at an optimal level if health foods are not being consumed.

Helping Female Athletes Prevent Sports-Related Knee Injuries

April 11, 2018 – Today we are seeing an increasing number of girls playing competitive sports, with roughly 200,000 at the collegiate level. This rise in 200,000 at the collegiate level. This risen in participation has afforded female athletes many social and health benefits including improved physical fitness, confidence, teamwork and a decreased risk of obesity. 

STOP Sports Injuries

April 05, 2018 – The STOP Sports Injuries Campaign wants to be sure that you have all the information you need to keep kids in the game for life. Whether you are an athlete, coach, healthcare provider or parent, we have the sports injury prevention tips and tools to make sure safety is your first priority.

Strength Training in the Adolescent Population

October 09, 2017 – Exercise is the physical exertion of the body - making the body perform a physical activity which results in a healthy or healthier level of physical such as cardiovascular exercise (aerobic and anaerobic), strength/resistance training, balance and proprioception training, etc.

Shoulder RTC Simple Stretching and Strengthening

March 31, 2017 – It is important to keep your shoulder healthy and strong throughout the entire sports season. Strengthening your shoulder daily will help avoid weakness and fatigue that you may feel as the sports season rolls along.

The Pitfalls of Early Sports Specialization

March 31, 2017 – The majority of our youth participate in their primary sport for both school and club leagues bringing average practice times upwards of 14 hours per week year round.

Preseason Conditioning: The Key to Performance and Injury Prevention

November 01, 2016 – With busy summer schedules filled with social events and vacations, most athletes neglect an important component of training for their sport-preseason conditioning.

Baseball Injuries in Children

July 27, 2016 – Thousands of children who play in baseball leagues are seen each year complaining of elbow or shoulder pain. Injuries in these young athletes are on the verge of becoming an epidemic. Damage or tear to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) should be treated immediately, otherwise it is difficult to repair or rehabilitate.

Safety Concerns with Hoverboards

March 28, 2016 – ​The recent holiday season’s most popular toy, the hoverboard, is causing concern among the medical experts at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. 

Outdoor Sports Safety Tips

June 01, 2015 – Many children play soccer, football, field hockey or lacrosse starting from an early age. Injuries occurring in these types of outdoor field sports are easy to sustain. It is important that parents advise children on the proper gear and way to play in order to prevent injuries from occurring.

Winter Sports Safety Tips

June 01, 2015 – Skiing down a snow-covered slope with the wind in your face and tranquil mountain scenery all around – there’s a lot to love about winter sports. However, skiing can also pose some inherent risks, such as frostbite, sunburn and knee and head injuries.

Youth Sports Injury Prevention Infographic

June 03, 2014 – Are your kids playing it safe? Helping children lead physically active lifestyles is essential to their health. Explore Nicklaus Children's Hospital's best tips for keeping young athletes safe and active.