Summer camps are a great way for children to explore a variety of interests and sports. Just this past week, we had several kids participate in our football camp as a trial period for their interest. I commend their parents for using the camp system to test the waters of interest. Too often today, we (those in recreation and sports) are seeing the massive push for kids to be the best at a particular sport at an earlier age. Therefore, they are not experiencing or developing their bodies and minds for other sport/recreation disciplines. As I have been observing this trend over the last several years, I really believe its a microcosm of our culture as a whole - you have to be bigger and better at all costs.
Recently I was pleased to see in the Sports Illustrated magazine on June 7, an article pertaining to the topic mentioned above. Dr. James Andrews, leading orthopedic surgeon and director of the American Sports Medicine Institute, says that "we are seeing kids hurt before they even have a chance to become athletes." Andrews' sports medicine clinics are filling up with kids who are playing one sport year round in order to get the exposure and skill needed to make the junior varsity or local travel baseball team. A whopping 60% of the athletes that Andrews sees are now high school players or younger! Dr. Andrews says, "I don't think epidemic is too strong a word." Today it is common to see stress fractures in cross country runners, frayed ligaments in soccer players, and strained elbows and shoulders in baseball and tennis players. And the reason for the large number of injuries - sports specialization. Parents today must pay attention to the amount of activity their athletes participate in and ensure they are doing enough different activities that create proper muscle development as well as emotional development. The physical and emotional stress placed on our kids is in return giving us discouraging numbers in both health and participation in sports.
Here are a couple of recommendations to think about: It is recommended that kids "cross-train" in order to develop their bodies properly. Make a choice to encourage your child to play a variety of sports at an early age. Choosing one sport year round will create burnout for your child by age thirteen. Support your child one sport at a time. Don't sign your child up for two or more sports within the same season. Make sure your child is also playing a variety of positions throughout the season. Eliminate the same mechanical motions day after day. Teach the game from different perspectives.
While every parent of a child playing sports wants them to excel and make it to the college ranks or as a professional athlete, you have to ensure first that they are having fun and you are providing a positive experience for them. Besides, most professional athletes didn't decide their professional sport until college. Encourage your kid to try a variety of sports and activities. Give them time to develop, and don't chase the trends of our culture. Let them be kids and enjoy the game!
For more information on safety tips for sports, visit www.stopsportsinjuries.org.
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