So, parental support and encouragement is needed to make sure similar success in injury prevention is matched in other sports. For example, it's estimated that 41 percent of all baseball injuries are to the head, face, mouth and eyes, yet researchers found that mouthguards are rarely worn and helmets are worn only for some positions. The experts stress that headgear, faceshields and mouthguards have been developed already for use in baseball and softball, and that parents need only urge leagues to require kids to use them and set a good example by requiring that their children wear the gear. Why there is such a difference between the genders has not been determined yet,but several possibilities exist. Nowjack-Raymer explains that some people may believe that girls aren't as at risk for injury or that wearing protective sports gear encourages rougher contact.
Researchers caution that injuries do happen to girls and the consequences can be serious.
It's up to adults to stress that both girls and boys, youth and adolescents, can benefit by wearing protective gear for all sports. The scientists conclude that advice from coaches goes a long way toward influencing the behavior of young athletes. Informed parents should help spread the word to coaches and managers that protective gear must be a routine part of practice and game time for all kids across all sports. Drive MSC2290 Bethesda, Maryland 20892-2290.