Injury in youth football

The participation of children and young adolescents in the sport of football has been an area of concern for parents and physicians. This concern has arisen from the well-documented risk of catastrophic and chronic disabling injuries that occur in high school, college, and professional competition. The smaller size and slower speed of young football players suggest that the reduced force of impact might create a different injury experience than that found at higher levels of competition. This paper will examine the injury experience of children participating in three divisions determined by weight and age.