Soccer May Be Safer Than Football, But After Age 12 the Game Heats Up And So Does the Risk of Getting Sidelined 

It's nearly impossible to tune into the World Cup and not cringe at the knocked heads and kicks to the chest. Concussions, knee injuries and ankle sprains are common in kids' soccer, too, though the sport is still safer than kids' football and rugby.

What's more, girls and boys suffer different types of injuries. Girls are more prone to heat illness and concussions. And in a new study that has puzzled researchers, girls are more likely to tear a ligament on their supporting leg, whereas boys are more prone to injure their dominant leg.

Experts attribute the disparities to different physiologies and styles of play. Some believe girls are simply more forthcoming with their symptoms.

Cold muscles are more injury prone and athletes with poor muscle flexibility experience more soreness, tenderness and pain after exercise.

One recent study revealed that the shins were the third most likely area to be injured.

Nearly half of all of the sports injuries children suffer each year are overuse injuries. There are a number of commonsense steps parents can take to reduce the risk of overuse injuries.

By some estimates, fully 25% of all soccer injuries result from poor field conditions.