Injury Risk in Young Athletes: Understanding Growth Stages (For Parents)
As children move into adolescence, rapid changes in height and body proportions affect coordination and tissue load. The PHV (Peak Height Velocity) window is the most volatile period: injury risk often rises as bones lengthen faster than muscles and tendons adapt. Knowing what to expect before, during, and after PHV helps you support training and recovery with confidence.
Growth Stages and Why They Matter
Most athletes experience a major growth spurt in early adolescence (on average earlier in girls than boys). Pre-PHV is steady growth, circa-PHV is rapid change over ~6–12 months, and post-PHV is consolidation toward adult size. Injury profiles shift across these stages because mechanics, coordination, and tissue tolerance are changing at different speeds.
Pre-PHV (Before the Growth Spurt)
Before the big spurt, forces are lower and severe injuries are less common. Most issues are acute bumps and sprains from falls or collisions. Overuse problems are uncommon unless there is high volume in a single sport. Priorities: varied activities, good movement skills, and fun. Keep weekly organised sport hours roughly at or below the athlete’s age (e.g., ~12h for a 12-year-old) and ensure rest, fit footwear, and basic strength/play.
Circa-PHV (During the Rapid Growth Spurt)
This is the highest-risk window. Bones lengthen quickly; muscles/tendons lag, so coordination and flexibility can dip (“adolescent awkwardness”). Growth-plate related overuse issues like Sever’s (heel) and Osgood-Schlatter (knee) are common in running/jumping sports. Acute sprains and fractures can also increase if training stays intense while the body is changing. Priorities: reduce repeated high-impact loads for a spell, emphasise technique, mobility, balance, and quality sleep/nutrition. Persistent or sharp pain warrants rest and, if needed, medical advice.
Post-PHV (After the Growth Spurt)
As growth stabilises and plates close, growth-specific injuries decline. Training and competition usually ramp up, so adult-type issues (muscle strains, ankle/knee sprains, tendon irritation) become more common. Priorities: gradual load progressions, consistent warm-ups, and strength training that protects joints (e.g., landing mechanics, posterior-chain work). Don’t rush returns from injury—complete rehab reduces recurrence.
Sport-Specific Factors to Consider
Running/Jumping (football, basketball, track): manage jumping volume and running spikes during growth spurts; monitor knees, heels, and shins.
Rotational (tennis, cricket, baseball): avoid excessive one-side reps; balance strength and mobility both sides.
Contact (rugby, hockey, American football): maturity mismatches raise collision risk—focus on safe technique and appropriate grouping where possible.
Gymnastics/Dance: monitor wrists and lower back; adjust skill difficulty and volume during rapid growth.
Endurance (distance running, swimming): accept temporary efficiency dips; keep mileage/progression conservative around PHV.
Supporting Your Growing Athlete
Emphasise long-term development over short-term results. Keep sleep and nutrition high, and encourage honest reporting of pain. Communicate with coaches about recent growth and any niggles so training can be adjusted. Watch for signs of overdoing it (frequent niggles, flat mood, persistent fatigue) and build in easier weeks and off-seasons. Stay positive—performance dips during growth are normal and temporary.
Conclusion
Every athlete passes through pre-PHV → PHV → post-PHV with different timing. With awareness and a few smart adjustments, many injuries can be prevented or minimised. Use growth context to guide decisions, protect confidence, and keep the journey enjoyable and sustainable.