Child-Centred Approach in Rehabilitation of Paediatric Sport Injuries

Overview of Paediatric Sport Injuries

• Over 3.5 million children injured annually in sports or recreational activities (estimated by the American National SAFE KIDS Campaign).
• More than 50% of these injuries are categorized as overuse injuries, related to increased specialization and training frequency.
• Injuries can lead to persistent pain, withdrawal from sports, disrupted friendships, and lower quality of life.

Shift from Injury-Focused to Child-Centred Rehabilitation

• Traditional treatment often emphasizes physical rehabilitation (load management, exercises, interventions).
• Psychological impact of injuries is frequently overlooked in existing rehabilitation strategies.
• Current literature suggests a need for a broader approach that includes emotional and psychological support to aid recovery and reintegration into sports.

Designing Child-Centred Rehabilitation

Key Features:

• Focus on facilitating positive developmental outcomes considering the child’s emotions and social needs.

Strategies to Implement Child-Centred Rehabilitation:

1. Playful Rehabilitation Activities

• Engage children in rehabilitation through playful themes (e.g., "visiting a zoo" for younger children).
• Older children can participate in games and challenges that incorporate rehabilitation exercises (e.g., juggling or balance challenges).
• Benefits include increased enjoyment, intrinsic motivation, and skills development.

1. Promoting Interpersonal Relationships

• Foster positive relationships involving therapists, children, and their support networks.
• Clinicians should use transformational coaching behaviors to enhance motivation and interactive engagement (e.g., eliciting child's input, discussing rehabilitation goals).
• Encourage parental support in discussing rehabilitation goals with children to maintain a collaborative environment.

1. Linking Rehabilitation to Sporting Context

• Maintain social connections by integrating rehabilitation activities with the child's sporting environment to prevent feelings of isolation.
• Encourage participation in team activities (e.g., assist during practices, scorekeeping) to keep children connected with their sports community.

Future Perspectives and Implications

• A systemic shift towards a child-centred model in rehabilitation is crucial to enhance recovery outcomes.
• This approach should prioritize the child's long-term health and well-being over the pressure to return to sports rapidly.
• Collaboration between researchers and practitioners is necessary to explore and implement effective child-centred rehabilitation strategies.
• Adhering to principles such as those in the Convention on the Rights of the Child should guide rehabilitation practices, emphasizing the child's best interest.

References and Considerations

• Citing various studies that highlight the importance of addressing both physical and psychological needs in child sports rehabilitation.
• Discussing the implications of neglecting emotional health during the recovery process in young athletes.