Is equipment cleaning only applicable to high school and college athletes?
A. No. Young children, as well as high school and college athletes have been treated at hospitals throughout North America, for MRSA (staph). Perspiration from strenuous activity allows bacteria to develop deep within equipment – Regardless of age. The amount of equipment use (frequency), individual perspiration and equipment hygiene (i.e air dry equipment) all determine equipment cleaning requirements. Generally, younger children are less in terms of the amount of perspiration produced and equipment use. Good Equipment hygiene needs to be followed at all times.
