Increased interest in physical fitness and widespread partici pation in sports by males and females makes sports medicine an important factor in most physicians' practices. Medical advice and treatment are more often sought by athletes and their families.
Preadolescent athletes present special problems in sports because of their growth, development, and physical character istics. Rules and regulations designed for adults are not always appropriate for young athletes. Chronologic age is not a suita ble criterion for matching young contestants in competitive sports because adolescent growth and physical development vary.
Boys and girls like competition and may safely and success fully participate when the special characteristics and potentials of growing children are taken into consideration in the planning of sports for youths.
