Keeping athletes safe
It’s great that kids are playing sports! I always encourage activity, but we have to know that what we are encouraging our children to do is safe. Unfortunately there has been a rise in youth athlete injuries. The reason is twofold. First, we spend too much time trying to specialize which causes muscle imbalance and increased injury risk. Diversity is important to balance out opposing muscle groups, balance muscle force actions (strength vs. speed vs. power) and develop the different energy systems of the body. To much time spent in one sport increases the main muscle and energy system response for that sport, but does not fully develop the others to balance things out. Second, because we have become hyper-focused on the “W”, coaches push their athletes hard to prep for a winning season. Many of the high school and even collegiate coaches are not trained strength and conditioning coaches and in fact have minimal training at best. Would you trust a medical assistant with a certificate, to make a diagnosis over a medical doctor with an advanced 8 year degree? Probably not. So make sure the coach you choose has the training your child needs to stay healthy. Once injured it can effect their function and overall health for the rest of their life.