School holidays: more movement, more risks?

For many children and teenagers, summer holidays are synonymous with freedom, joy and… lots of energy to burn. After months of school with tight schedules, it’s natural for the body to want to move more, play more, run more. And that’s great — as long as it’s accompanied by some care.

Over the years, as a physician, I have observed a recurring pattern: during the holiday months, the number of young people who come to us with preventable injuries increases. The reason? Enthusiasm often trumps preparation.

GROWING BODIES, EXTRA CARE

Children and teenagers’ bodies are still developing. Their joints, muscles, tendons… everything is growing and adapting. This means that some areas — such as the knees, heels or hips — are particularly sensitive.

Among the most common injuries at this stage we find:

• Apophysitis , such as the well-known Osgood-Schlatter disease, which causes knee pain in very active young people.
• Tendonitis due to repeated movements or overtraining.
• Sprains and fractures from falls or more intense play.
• Muscle injuries associated with fatigue or lack of recovery.

It is important to emphasize that not all pains are part of growing up. And no persistent pain should be ignored.

PREVENTION IS ALSO LEARNED

Preventing injuries isn’t just a medical issue—it’s an educational issue. And it starts at home and in sports settings.

Here are some simple recommendations that make a big difference:

• Regular medical check-ups, especially for very active children or those who regularly play sports.
• Varied and age-appropriate training: insisting on just one sport from an early age can lead to imbalances.
• Teach young people to listen to their bodies — and to share when something hurts.
• Value rest: tissues also need time to recover and grow safely.

THE ROLE OF PARENTS AND COACHES

As physicians, we need allies outside the office. Attentive parents and conscientious coaches are key players in prevention. Knowing when to stop, adjusting training, respecting limits — all of this helps prevent injuries and frustrations.

And, above all, it is important to demystify one idea: no child needs to "endure pain" to be a better athlete . Quite the opposite — those who take care of their bodies from an early age will go further and with more confidence.

GROWING UP PLAYING… HEALTHILY

Holidays are an incredible opportunity to create happy memories and foster a love of physical activity. We want children who are active, healthy, and confident—not limited by preventable injuries.

Taking care of joints and muscles at this stage is more than just preventing physical problems. It’s about ensuring that your little ones grow up with a taste for movement and with a body ready to accompany them on all their adventures.

As I often say: teaching prevention is one of the most beautiful ways of caring .

Specialist in Orthopedics and Traumatology, Coordinator of the Sports Medicine and Traumatology Center HCUF Porto and Coordinator of the Health Department of FC Porto