Strong Bodies, Strong Minds: How High School Football Builds Character While Managing Injury Risk

By Orthopedic Surgeon James Slauterbeck, MD

As the high school football season comes to an end and the playoffs get closer, it is a good time to talk about common injuries in football and the benefits of playing high school sports. Football is one of the most popular sports for high school students in the United States. More than a million athletes play each year. But it also has one of the highest rates of serious injuries compared to other sports like basketball or soccer. Most injuries happen during games, and tackling is the main reason why. Even though injuries are common, playing football and other high school sports has many benefits.

Playing high school sports, including football, can help students do better in school. It also teaches important life skills like teamwork, discipline, leadership, time management, and how to handle emotions. Athletes often do better in school, are more focused on their goals, and are more likely to graduate and go to college.

Being part of a team gives students a support system that can lower stress and depression. Many athletes also feel better about themselves and have higher confidence. Athletic participation is associated with enhanced cognitive abilities. Academic achievement and life skills benefit the athlete way beyond the sports context. 

Athletes tend to do better in medical school and residency programs. They score higher on exams, have better surgical skills, and deal with less stress and burnout. This shows that the lessons learned through sports can help people succeed even in very tough academic and professional careers. 

Some of the most common football injuries in high school are sprains and strains in the knees and ankles, broken bones, and concussions. Knee injuries, like ACL tears, can end a player's season and may lead to arthritis later in life. Shoulder injuries and pulled muscles are also common. Repeated concussions can cause long-term problems with memory and thinking.

While most football injuries are not life-threatening, football has a higher risk of life-altering injuries compared to other high school sports. Head and spine injuries, though rare, can be serious. That is why it is so important to teach safe tackling, have medical staff at games, and make sure safety rules are followed.

There are several ways to help prevent injuries in high school football. Teaching safe tackling techniques and limiting full-contact practices can lower the risk of injury. Warm-up and strength programs that focus on balance and coordination help prevent joint and muscle injuries. Wearing helmets and mouthguards that fit well is also important. Programs like Heads Up Football have helped reduce head injuries by more than 30 percent. Coaches play a big role in keeping players safe by teaching safety first and stopping dangerous hits.

Even though football has more injuries than many other sports, the benefits of playing are very strong. Most injuries are not serious, and the life skills gained from playing football can last a lifetime. With the right safety steps in place, athletes can enjoy the game and stay as safe as possible while learning and growing both on and off the field.

James Slauterbeck, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon whose special interests include sports medicine, adolescent sports medicine, female sports medicine, and high school and college athletic injuries. He is affiliated with UNC Health Orthopedics at Southeastern Health Park and UNC Health Southeastern. To learn more, call (910) 738-1065 or visit https://www.unchealth.org/care-services/doctors/s/james-r-slauterbeck-md.