According to Sportssafety.org, 3.5 million children age 14 and under need medical treatment for sport injuries each year. Half of these injuries are overuse injuries which result in the repetitiveness of playing a sport.

Wendy Dowler, one of Foothill’s teachers as well as a track coach for Buena, believes that’s it’s up to the student to take care of themselves.

“If the athlete misses the sport and their team and really wants to heal they will stretch and ice their injuries.”

Elana Palace, a senior who runs Cross Country for Ventura recently suffered an injury and had to sit out two months of the season.

“I tore my T-band and I was only able to participate in three races this season. I was so bummed, but I had to wait to properly heal.”

Although some may tie sport injuries with accidents or kids playing recklessly, most injuries come from athletes pushing themselves too hard or overworking muscles.

Family Fitness at About.com recommends for student athletes to learn how to warm up and cool down before intense activities and to know your body’s limits.

It says that sports injuries can for the most part be avoided, and for the athlete that wants to stay healthy and keep playing their sport they will do what it takes to take care of their body and allow it to perform properly.