Chiropractic Corner
Little League baseball and softball are in full swing, soccer is getting started and summer workouts are almost here. It is important to keep kids active in the summer, and it is just as important for parents to know how to help their children get ready to play. Playing team sports is great for growing adolescents and teenagers, but athletes and their parents must be sure not to overlook the importance of proper nutrition and body-conditioning needed for preventing and recovering from injuries that occur with athletics. Sports are great, but athletes must be properly prepared.
Without the appropriate preparation, playing sports can quickly become a bad experience. Sports are demanding on the body, and young athletes have structural and developmental concerns that must be taken into consideration to avoid injury. Parents who have young athletes need to help them prepare their bodies and learn how to prevent sports-related injuries from happening in the first place.
Proper warm-up, stretching and strength-training exercises, such as weightlifting, are vital for young athletes. Unfortunately, many kids learn improper stretching or weight-lifting techniques, resulting in increased susceptibility to injury. Parents and coaches need to work with their kids and make sure they receive the proper training. Starting with a slow jog as a general warm-up, followed with a sport-specific warm-up and stretching routine, will allow the muscles time to warm up and prepare for the activity. Proper lifting technique also greatly reduces the risk of injury. Young athletes need to start with light weight and focus on learning proper technique and gaining experience before moving on to heavier weights.
