NATA Position Statement Review Part 5: Prevention of Pediatric Overuse Injuries

As an athletic training student preparing for the BOC exam or a certified athletic trainer looking to elevate your practice, being familiar with National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Position Statements isn’t just a good idea. It’s a necessity.

NATA’s Position Statements serve as evidence-based guidelines that define best practices across the profession. They help athletic trainers make sound clinical decisions, ensure patient safety, and stay aligned with national standards. For students, knowing the key content of these statements is vital for passing the BOC exam, which tests not just memorization, but the ability to apply principles in real-life scenarios.

In Part 5 of our NATA Position Statement Review series, we’re covering the NATA Position Statement on the Prevention of Pediatric Overuse Injuries.

Why This Position Statement Is Important

Overuse injuries account for up to 50% of all pediatric sport-related injuries, yet many of these injuries are preventable with appropriate training, supervision, and screening. This position statement provides athletic trainers and healthcare professionals with practical, research-supported recommendations to keep young athletes healthy and active.

Pediatric athletes are not just small adults. Their developing bodies and growing bones create unique vulnerabilities. Understanding this helps athletic trainers adapt their prevention and intervention strategies based on age, growth stage, and sport-specific demands.

Key Recommendations from the Statement

Here’s a breakdown of the core focus areas and recommendations from the position statement:

1. Injury Surveillance

• Improve data collection on overuse injuries in pediatric athletes.
• Participate in surveillance systems and use high-quality documentation.
• Advocate for more research funding focused on injury trends in youth sports.

2. Preparticipation Physical Examinations (PPEs)

• Use PPEs to screen for prior injury, musculoskeletal deficits, and risk factors.
• Refer athletes with red flags to appropriate medical professionals.
• Link PPE findings with injury data to improve preventive strategies.

3. Identification of Risk Factors

• Monitor signs like arm fatigue, pain, or performance decline—especially in throwers.
• Recognize anatomical predispositions (e.g., joint hypermobility, leg-length discrepancies).
• Limit throwing volume and educate on safe pitch counts.

4. Coach Education & Medical Supervision

• Ensure coaches and parents understand signs of overuse and safe training principles.
• Require coach education around youth development, safety, and injury prevention.
• Promote adult supervision with proper training in pediatric sport safety.

5. Sport Modifications

• Limit total weekly training hours (suggested max: 16–20 hours/week).
• Avoid year-round participation in a single sport, especially throwing sports.
• Establish age-specific pitch counts and rest guidelines (e.g., 75 pitches/game for ages 9–14).

6. Training & Conditioning

• Begin general fitness programs at least two months before the season.
• Include neuromuscular control, balance, strength, and flexibility.
• Follow the “10% rule” for gradual increases in training intensity and volume.

7. Delayed Specialization

• Encourage participation in multiple sports to promote balanced development.
• Build in 2–3 months off per year from any one sport.
• Reduce risk of burnout and overuse by avoiding early specialization.

The BOC exam doesn’t just test what you know. It assesses how you think and act as a clinician. Position Statements like this one reflect the profession’s consensus on best practice and are often referenced in exam scenarios. Expect questions involving pediatric case studies, return-to-play protocols, or training load management, all of which may relate directly to recommendations found in this document.

So, don’t just skim these statements. Study them. Summarize them. Apply them to clinical situations. Doing so will not only improve your chances of passing the exam, it will also prepare you to become a more effective, evidence-based athletic trainer.

Need Help Studying Position Statements?

ATStudy Buddy breaks down key NATA Position Statements into digestible, student-friendly modules—so you’re confident on test day and competent in practice. Learn more at atstudybuddy.com/memberships/