South Texas Health System set to host webinar on sports-injury prevention

With the summer coming to an end, that means the sports season is right around the corner for local athletes.

To help parents gear up for the football, volleyball seasons and more, South Texas Health System Children’s hospital will host a webinar to help educate on sports-related injuries and the prevention of them.

The virtual seminar will be free and is set to be hosted on Aug. 19 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. According to a release, the webinar will be shown on both the STHS Children’s and STHS Facebook pages. “The free virtual seminar is designed for student-athletes, recreational athletes, parents, coaches and anyone interested in helping young athletes stay healthy and active,” a release by STHS said. “The webinar will feature practical guidance from medical professionals and evidence-based recommendations to help prevent injuries and support safe participation in sports.”

STHS Website Photo With the RGV heat showing what it can do during the summer, it’s likely to be high temperatures during the September and October months.

STHS said in a release that hydration, a balanced diet and adequate rest is crucial to the health of local athletes.

“Keeping athletes safe isn’t just about treating injuries after they occur, it’s about helping prevent them in the first place,” said Santos Cantu, MD, a pediatric and emergency medicine specialist and medical director of the South Texas Health System Children’s Emergency Department in a release. “Proper conditioning, hydration, injury prevention, listening to your body and knowing when to seek care are all essential to protecting an athlete’s health, enhancing performance and supporting long-term success.”

More so, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 3.5 million children and adolescents suffer sports-related injuries in the country.

The health system said that recognizing warning signs is crucial and shouldn’t be ignored.

“The best defense against sports injuries is education and preparation,” said Dr. Cantu. “When athletes, parents and coaches work together to promote healthy habits, recognize injuries early and follow safe training practices, young athletes are better equipped to compete confidently and stay healthy both on and off the field.”

For information, you can visit southtexashealth systemchildrens.com or call (956) 388-6800.