Is Your Child Safe in Gym Class?

A recent news article I read indicated that from 1997 to 2007 physical education injuries were up 150%!! The study speculates that the increase may be due to a lack of supervision and fewer school nurses.

Six sports accounted for 70% of injuries: running, basketball, football, volleyball, soccer, and gymnastics. The researcher stated that instructors must get comprehensive training in injury prevention, and kids need to get safety education as well, McKenzie said. Schools must also insure that teachers and students use all appropriate safety equipment, she added, for example laying down mats for gymnastics.

I agree 100% with this statement. As seen from one of my earlier blogs, I just concluded representation of a family of a child that was killed by a portable soccer goal while playing for a northern Virginia travel soccer team. The child's coach was also a local high school coach and claimed to be unaware of the need to anchor or secure portable soccer goals. I found this to be simply amazing as the National Federation of High Schools' rules require that as does FIFA, the world governing body of soccer. This case just goes to exemplify that rules are of no value unless the instructors and coaches are being educated about them. My personal opinion is that this is not a priority in Virginia schools since the victim cannot sue the school for his or her injuries. In Virginia, the victim must sue the actual person whose acts or omissions caused the injury, and must prove that the person's conduct or omission was grossly negligent. This is a very high standard in Virginia, which results in very few lawsuits. Take some time to talk with your children and find out about their instructors and coaches. Is safety emphasized? Is protective gear utilized? Does the coach take time to educate the children about the sport and about being safe? If not, follow up with the principal of the school or the athletic director.