HHS HealthBeat (February 11, 2009)

Teen Disabled Athletes

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From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

There are benefits in sports for teens with disabilities. But sports also can lead to injuries. How big are those risks?

Researchers looked at injury rates among 210 athletes at eight high schools in California that specialize in students with disabilities. The athletes played in adapted versions of basketball, softball, soccer, and field hockey.

Marizen Ramirez of the University of Iowa says the disabled athletes did better than national averages for non-disabled athletes:

[Marizen Ramirez speaks] ``The injury rate is much lower and we are seeing a lower severity of injury in the special education population.’’

Ramirez says games can lead to improved mental and physical health of disabled kids.

The study in the journal Pediatrics was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss

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Last revised: February, 11 2009