Abstract des Autors

Youth league football should not be condemned because injuries are endemic to such a contact sport. Rather, attention should be focused on the discrepancy between the reported rates of injuries in little league football and the data presented. We should consider how preadolescents are being treated at games across the country. Perhaps youth leagues should be required to provide emergency medical services during games, and pay or emergency phones should be required at all game sites. Physicians, certified athletic trainers, paramedics, or emergency medical technicians should be required at games. Responsible officials and parents committed to the health and safety of their young weekend sportsmen should consider these points. Their responsibility does not end with athletic insurance - it also demands care, concern, and action for children playing adults games. Verf.-Referat