Has Your Child Ever Been Injured in Gym Class?by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 13 Sep 2009 10:38 PM I slammed my head and cut my lip during a high school gym class volleyball match... and I didn't cry. In fact, I was elated by my fate because it meant that I would be afforded a week's worth of excused absences and didn't have to attend a class I despised. Unfortunately, injuries like my split lip are increasing at an alarming rate during physical education classes in the United States. According to a new report, injuries to American children during school gym classes increased by 150 percent from 1997 to 2007. The numbers come from 100 representative U.S. hospitals taking part in surveillance for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The final tally shows that more than 60,000 American school children suffered injuries due to participation in school gym class activities in 2007. According to researchers, the number of injuries sustained in 1997 was less than 30,000. The authors of the study blame an increase in gym programs (due to efforts to reduce childhood obesity) and lack of adult supervision or properly certified gym teachers. Researchers say a decline in school nurses and larger class sizes could also be to blame. Most of the injuries sustained by school kids were the result of running into equipment or having contact with objects or people. Heat stroke, dehydration, exhaustion and heart palpitations, cuts, bruises, strains and sprains were among the other reasons why students ended up in the hospital. The alarmingly number of school age children suffering injuries from gym class prompted one researcher to make this cutting comment: "Being healthy doesn't have to hurt. Physical education in schools should be a tool to increase physical activity not to cause physical pain." Try telling that to my nazi high school gym teacher. Has your child ever been injured during gym class? Experts say if your student has sustained injuries as a result of gym class activities you should inquire with school district administrators as to whether certified teachers are running your child's physical education courses. Classroom teachers who aren't trained in P.E. might not recognize situations that can cause injury and therefore shouldn't be instructing gym classes. Related Articles: Do Your Kids Need More Exercise? Study Shows Most Bullied Kids are Overweight Exercise Helps Overweight Kids Manage Anger Better Kids and Fitness---One Sport or Many? Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanteducation tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Discuss this article
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