A Parent’s Guide to Catching Overuse Injuries Early
Overuse injuries in young athletes often creep in slowly, without a single “moment” of injury. Catching them early can prevent long breaks from sport and protect long-term development. Here are the key things for parents to watch for.
1. Monitor Training Load
Overtraining is the biggest risk factor. Kids who train more than 20 hours per week have around
three times the risk of overuse injuries (NATA Position Statement, 2011). You might not be able to reduce training hours, but you can prioritise rest, sleep and recovery on non-training days.
2. Pay Attention During Growth Spurts
Big growth periods increase injury risk. You may notice changes in how your child moves, performs or describes discomfort. This is a time to reduce load where possible or modify training demands.
During rapid growth, injury risk rises because:
• Flexibility and coordination temporarily decrease
• Strength imbalances often appear (e.g., quads overpower hamstrings)
• Apophyseal growth plates are more vulnerable
• Neuromuscular control and movement efficiency decline
3. Act Early on Pain — Especially Near Joints
Growth plates sit close to the joints of the knee, heel, hip, wrist, elbow and shoulder, and they are more sensitive during growth. Kids should not have persistent or sharp pain when playing sport. New pain — especially around joints — should be addressed early to prevent an overuse injury from developing.
When to Seek Help
If your child is suddenly limping, modifying how they move, avoiding certain drills or frequently mentioning soreness, it’s best to have them assessed. Early management makes a big difference in recovery and ongoing participation.
Need Guidance? We Can Help
At our
Narrabeen and Frenchs Forest clinics, we see young athletes from a wide range of sports and can help detect issues early, manage load and create a safe return-to-sport plan. If you’re unsure whether a new pain is “normal” or something to act on, booking an assessment is the safest approach.
