Running injuries in children have increased nearly 35 percent

A new study shows injuries in children related to running are happening nearly 35 percent more frequently.

Center for Injury Research and Policy of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital researchers analyzed data from the past 14 years and noticed children between the ages of 6 and 18 years old are being injured from running more frequently than before.

For the study, more than 225,000 injury cases were analyzed by researchers. The primary cause of injury for children between 6 and 14 years old was from falls.

Experts suggest running as a means for exercise for children to help keep them active, but suggest additional training and coaching be involved to help teach children the proper running form and ways to prevent injury. Many injuries are said to be related to lack of knowledge about proper form for exercising.

Many injuries occur when a child is running for recreation or for a sport. Most often, injuries involved the leg(s).

This study is the first to analyze frequency of injury for children, specifically related to running.