High school is an exciting time for student athletes. Sports help teens stay active, build confidence, and make friends. But with all the practices, games, and tournaments, injuries can happen. While both boys and girls can get hurt playing sports, some injuries are more common in one group than the other. Knowing the risks can help athletes, parents, and coaches prevent problems and keep kids healthy.
Injuries Common in Male Athletes
Many high school boys play high-impact sports such as football, basketball, wrestling, and soccer. These activities often involve heavy contact, sudden movements, or quick changes in direction. Because of this, some of the most common injuries in male athletes include:
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Concussions – Football and basketball players often take hits to the head. A concussion is a brain injury that can cause headaches, dizziness, or trouble concentrating.
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Shoulder Injuries – Contact sports and weightlifting can strain the shoulder. Dislocations and rotator cuff injuries are especially common.
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Knee Injuries – Sports that involve jumping, like basketball, can lead to ligament injuries such as ACL or meniscus tears.
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Ankle Sprains – Quick cuts and sudden stops in sports like soccer or basketball can twist the ankle.
Injuries Common in Female Athletes
Female athletes are just as competitive and active as males, but their bodies may be more prone to certain injuries. Sports like soccer, volleyball, basketball, and cheerleading are popular with girls in high school. Some common injuries for female athletes include:
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ACL Tears – Girls are more likely than boys to tear the ACL in the knee. This can happen with sudden stops, pivots, or awkward landings from a jump.
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Stress Fractures – Female athletes, especially in running sports, may develop tiny cracks in the bones from repeated stress. These are often linked to not getting enough rest or nutrition.
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Ankle Injuries – Just like boys, girls often sprain ankles in sports that involve quick footwork.
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Overuse Injuries – Conditions like shin splints or tendonitis can happen when training is too intense or recovery is too short.
Similar Injuries for Both Boys and Girls
Not all injuries are divided by gender. Many injuries are common for all young athletes. For example:
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Muscle Strains – Pulling a muscle in the leg or arm can happen to anyone who pushes too hard or skips warm-ups.
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Fractures – Broken bones from falls or contact are seen across all sports.
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Back Pain – Heavy training or poor posture can lead to back strain in both boys and girls.
How Physical Therapy Helps
When injuries happen, physical therapy plays a big role in helping athletes heal and return to play. A physical therapist can:
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Teach safe stretches and exercises to improve strength and flexibility.
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Use hands-on care to reduce pain and swelling.
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Create a personalized recovery plan to get athletes back on the field safely.
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Help prevent future injuries with balance, posture, and movement training.
PT is not only about recovery—it’s also about building long-term habits that protect the body.
Tips for Parents, Coaches, and Athletes
The best way to handle sports injuries is to prevent them. Here are a few tips that work for both boys and girls:
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Warm up before practice or games. Light jogging, stretching, and mobility drills prepare the body.
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Use proper gear. Helmets, pads, braces, and good shoes make a big difference.
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Balance training and rest. Rest days are just as important as practice days.
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Eat and hydrate well. A balanced diet with enough protein, calcium, and water supports strong bones and muscles.
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Report injuries early. Playing through pain can make things worse.
High school sports can be one of the best parts of growing up. While injuries are a risk, they don’t have to stop athletes from enjoying the game. By understanding the common injuries for boys and girls, families and coaches can take steps to prevent problems. And if an injury does occur, physical therapy is there to help athletes recover and return to the sports they love.
