“That’s when we start to see all of the strains, sprains, and other overuse injuries,” Sturtevant explained. “It’s a result of student athletes going from a period of relative inactivity over the summer to suddenly engaging in intense workouts.”
While many athletes continue some level of training during the off-season, the lack of structure, oversight, and consistency often sets the stage for early-season injuries, especially muscle strains and overuse issues.
A collaborative approach to student athlete care
In response to growing concerns about student-athlete health, many states have implemented safety guidelines to help ensure the health of young athletes, such as eliminating double sessions during preseason, to help reduce injury risk. But athletic trainers remain the front line in this effort, managing injuries and ensuring athletes receive appropriate care physically and mentally.
Tufts Medicine orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician Dr. Amy Brown noted that although some injuries tend to spike right at the beginning of the season, certain types of injuries increase as the season progresses. “We commonly see issues with knees and shoulders once the wear and tear starts to build,” she said. “Injuries such as shin splints and stress fractures become more common for runners as mileage adds up, and in girls' soccer we see a spike in knee injuries. Women are up to eight times more likely to tear their ACLs, than men, and we see a higher rate of those injuries in our young female athletes.”
Early sport specialization for young bodies can cause overuse injuries. Some high school athletes play on school teams, club teams and work with personal trainers all year long. While this can lead to enhanced performance, it also increases the risk of repetitive stress injuries. “We’re treating athletes who are playing in several different leagues or club levels at the same time, and the overlap makes it harder to give their bodies the rest they need. These aren’t adults in small bodies,” said Sturtevant. “They’re still growing and they need proper training, rest, and above all, balance.”
Family dynamics and financial pressures also come into play, often complicating an already demanding system. “It’s important to keep the focus on the child,” added Dr. Brown. “Are they having fun? That’s the question we need to keep asking. Sports are about more than just winning. They teach responsibility, teamwork, and the value of working toward a common goal.”
This is where close collaboration between athletic trainers and orthopedic and sports medicine physicians becomes essential. Athletic trainers not only manage any initial injury on the field but also coordinate follow-up care, make referrals, and provide critical updates to families and physicians. “They serve as our eyes and ears in the community,” said Dr. Brown. “They know the athletes personally, understand their history, build relationships with their families and make trusted judgments on the spot.”
Another important benefit of the relationship between athletic trainers and physicians is timely accessibility for injured student athletes. “We are committed to make either a same-day or next day appointment with an injured student referred to us from the ATs,” said Dr. Brown. “The athletic trainers have a direct line to the physicians and surgeons and we are able to make seamless connections to get the right care to the patients at the right time.”
MelroseWakefield Hospital currently contracts with seven area high schools (Malden High, Austin Prep, Wakefield High, Malden Catholic, Melrose High, Stoneham High and Northeast Metro Tech) to provide certified and licensed athletic trainers for their sports programs.
All athletes deserve support
It’s not just traditional sports teams that rely on the care and attention of athletic trainers. Dance teams, marching bands and cheerleading squads also face physical demands that can lead to injury. Yet many schools across the country still don’t employ full-time athletic trainers or adequately highlight the critical role they play.
“It is a sad and dangerous fact that many school districts are cutting athletic trainer roles amid budget issues,” said Dr. Brown. “The ATs play such an important role in keeping student athletes safe and healthy and I worry about the impact of those decisions moving forward.”
