STOP Sports Injuries

The STOP Sports Injuries campaign is geared towards providing guidance on healthy and safe athletic participation and should not be considered a replacement for speaking with your physician, athletic trainer or other qualified healthcare provider.

How to Prevent Sports Injuries

Prevention is always the best way to deal with sports injuries. There are several steps you and your children can take for safety's sake.

  • For starters, wear sport-specific protective gear. If your son plays football, for example, he'll need a helmet, mouth guard, protective cup, proper footwear and other body pads.
  • Another key to preventing sports injuries is to always warm up before practice or a game. Be sure your child's coach includes slow stretching to lengthen players' muscles and increase blood flow.
  • To prevent dehydration from the South Florida heat, children also need to take frequent drink breaks (every 15-20 minutes in the hottest months of the year).

STOP Sports Injuries

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.

Links available in this page are not necessarily endorsed, reviewed, or sponsored by Nicklaus Children's Hospital. By clicking on any of the links, you will be leaving the Nicklaus Children's Hospital Website.

There are injuries and issues common to many sports. See our tip sheets on preventing and treating specific athletic injuries and issues.

Help keep kids in the game for life!

To help keep kids in the game for life, STOP Sports Injuries targets the sports that have the highest rates of overuse and trauma injuries. Check out these helpful sports injury prevention tips that are provided to you by the STOP Sports Injuries campaign.

Sport Specific Resources

Weight Management for Children and Teenagers

January 14, 2020 – Obesity has become one of the most significant threats to the well being of our nation’s children. It is estimated that nearly 32 percent of children and adolescents are overweight and that 16 percent or more can be categorized as obese.

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.

Recommendations for juice consumption in children

March 29, 2019 – Consumption of fruit juice has increased drastically within recent years as children and adolescents continue to be the highest consumers. An excessive amount of juice consumption can lead to not only an increase in calories, but also an increased risk for childhood obesity and dental caries.

Immune “Boosters” for Children

March 27, 2019 – A healthy immune system is your family’s best weapon to fight the common cold or the flu season, and our job is to keep you ready. Below is a list of six immune-boosting nutrients and the different foods they can be found in, recommended by Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s #GiveMe5 program. 

Child-Friendly Veggies

March 05, 2019 – Vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet, but getting kids to eat an adequate amount can be challening. Here are helpful tips to introduce more veggies into a child's diet. 

Sports Hydration Infographic

June 06, 2016 – How much water should a kid drink while playing sports?

Healthy Tips for Kids Infographic

June 25, 2015

Healthy, happy kids grow up to be healthy, happy adults. It’s a parent’s responsibility to instill good habits early on. Read on for more healthy tips for kids about eating nutritiously, spending time outdoors, clocking enough sleep, limiting screen time and staying fit and active from childhood to adolescence and beyond.

Sugar Intake in Kids Infographic

January 04, 2015 – It's no secret that kids love sugar. What's unclear is just how detrimental the sweet stuff is to your child’s health. Recent studies have found that sugar has the same effect on the brain as certain addictive drugs. The experts at Nicklaus Children's Hospital take a closer look at the harmful effect too much sugar can have on the body.

Nutrition and the My Plate Food Guide

November 03, 2013 – At all stages of life, nutrition plays an important role in maintaining good health. It is important not only for growth and development, but to maintain strong bones and teeth and build a good immune system.