“Mom, my bike helmet is too big, my soccer shoes aretoo small, and my mouth guard won’t stay in my mouth, but I’m still safe to play football right?" Wrong! Protective sports gear needs to fit children properly and each sport has different types of gear require. It's important to learn what protective equipment is required for each sport, which injuries are common, and the best way to prevent an injury. The following are the most injury-prone youth sports and their sports-specific safety recommendations according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases:

Football: This popular sport leads with the most reported injuries, especially in boys, in organized sports.

• Common injuries and locations: Bruises, sprains, pulled muscles, soft tissue tears such as ligaments, broken bones, internal injuries (bruised or damaged organs), back injuries, and sunburn. Knees and ankles are the most common injury sites.
• Protective gear: Helmet; mouth guard; shoulder pads; athletic supporters for males; chest/rib pads; forearm, elbow, and thigh pads; shin guards; proper shoes; sunscreen; and water.
• Prevention: Proper use of safety equipment, warm-up exercises, proper coaching and conditioning.

Basketball: This popular sport has the highest rate of knee injuries in girls which often require surgery.

• Common injuries and locations: Sprains, strains, bruises, fractures, scrapes, dislocation, cuts, dental injuries. Ankles, knees (the anterior cruciate ligament is usually injured, the wide ligament that limits rotation and forward movement of the shin bone), and the shoulder (rotator cuff usually strains and tears, where tendons at the end of muscles attach to the upper arm and shoulder bones).
• Protective gear: Eye protection; elbow and knee pads; mouth guard; athletic supporters for males; proper shoes; and water. If playing outdoors, wear a hat and sunscreen.
• Prevention:  Strength training (particularly knees and shoulders), aerobics (exercises that develop the strength and endurance of heart and lungs), warm-up exercises, proper coaching, and use of safety equipment.

Soccer: This sport has increased in popularity in the United States over the last 20 years.

• Common injuries and locations: Bruises, cuts and scrapes, headaches, sunburn.
• Protective gear: Shin guards, athletic supporters for males, cleats, sunscreen, and water.
• Prevention:  Aerobic conditioning and warm-ups, and proper training in using one’s head to strike or make a play with the ball.

Baseball and Softball: Typically referred to as “America’s favorite pastime.”

• Common injuries and locations: soft tissue strains; impact injuries including fractures due to sliding and being hit by a ball; and sunburn.
• Protective gear: Batting helmet, shin guards, elbow guards, athletic supporters for males, mouth guard, sunscreen, cleats, hat, and breakaway bases.
• Prevention: Proper conditioning and warm-ups.

Gymnastics: The performance of systematic exercises.

• Common injuries and locations: Sprains and strains of soft tissues.
• Protective gear: Athletic supporters for males, safety harness, joint supports, and water.
• Prevention: Proper conditioning and warm-ups.

Track and Field: Competing at running, walking, jumping, throwing or pushing events.

• Common injuries and locations: Strains, sprains, and scrapes from falls.
• Protective gear: Proper shoes, athletic supporters for males, sunscreen, and water.
• Prevention: Proper conditioning and coaching.

Source: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.