“Engaging in sport is an important part of many children and young people’s lives and all sports should ensure children’s rights are a central focus. This means that sport must be based on the participating children’s needs and interests. Nearly 90% of all Swedish children will, at some point in their youth, have contact with a sports association and this contact provides a positive opportunity for the children to find a type of activity they enjoy.” the Swedish Sports Confederation (RF)
Moving is important! It helps us feel good, have fun and enables us to develop in our sport. Exercise generally improves health but it can also, unfortunately, in both adults and young athletes, cause health issues such as injuries, stress and eating disorders. However, important differences exist between adults, young people and children with relation to the causes of such health issues and injuries and how they should be managed and treated (Mountjoy et al 2015).
The purpose of this site is to provide health-related information for 12-19 year-old athletes. The website content is based on current sports medicine research or best practice and has been developed with the help of experts and specialists in the various subject areas.
Jenny Jacobsson
Editor
References and tips for more reading:
Barnens Spelregler
Barnrättsperspektivet
Idrott en del av uppväxten, RF
Idrotten vill (pdf kort version) (RF)
Jenny Jacobsson, Joakim Ekberg, Toomas Timpka, Lena Haggren Råsberg, Marina Sjöberg, Dejan Mirkovic, Sverker Nilsson. Developing web-based health guidance for coaches and parents in child athletics (track and field): participatory action research study based on best scientific evidence and sports practice. Accepted. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports 2020.
Mountjoy M, Rhind DJ, Tiivas A, et al. Safeguarding the child athlete in sport: a review, a framework and recommendations for the IOC youth athlete development model. Br J Sports Med. 2015 Jul;49(13):883-6.
Östberg Klas och Östberg Tobias. Barnidrott – ingen lek. Idrottsförlaget. 2014.
