How much is too much?

[soccermom]

What is the long term result of having 9 and 10 year old girls playing back to back soccer games? What is the result of running a 5K and then playing a soccer game? How much time do they need to recover from these activities? How long before injuries occur? Soccer seasons are going year round and the girls do not get a break. They are playing soccer on 2 or 3 teams, plus whatever sport is in season. How much is too much on the young body?

[Shane Lawler]

This is a great point. Players today rest less and play more leading to more injuries. As a parent, I understand this issue. As a former player, I understand the motive to play. As a Physical Therapist, I understand the repercussions of such decisions.
Every kid responds to stress differently. The following two things are common soft tissue overuse injuries that kids experience:
1) Pain in the front of the knees just below the knee cap (patellar tendonitis)
2) Back of the ankle pain along the Achilles tendon (severs, Calcaneal apophysitis)
I hope this helps,
Shane