Tips for Student Athletes from a Sports Medicine Specialist

More than half of the seven million sports and recreation related injuries that occur each year are sustained by those between the ages of 5 and 25.

As students return to the classroom and the athletic fields, it’s important that they are prepared not only mentally but physically as well.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of the seven million sports and recreation related injuries that occur each year are sustained by those between the ages of 5 and 25.

When it comes to kids, teens and young adults, there are many factors that contribute to the link between age and sports injuries. Because of the uneven growth pattern of children as they are constantly growing and developing, they are more prone to injuries.

In growth plates, for example, cartilage is located at the end of long bones that will continue to develop until the child is fully grown. “The age and rate at which growth plates close varies by individual,” explained Holy Cross Health sports medicine specialist Fernando J. Manalac, Jr., M.D. “For most of their adolescent years, these athletes will be more prone to growth plate injuries and fractures. Without given the proper chance to heal, these injuries can impact bone growth and can lead to serious complications.”

Many younger athletes sustain an injury due to overuse. In sports such as baseball and swimming, athletes use the same repetitive motions which consistently places stress on distinct parts of the body. “The body needs time to heal and rest between intense exertions of energy,” said Dr. Manalac. “Inadequate rest and overperformance can lead to injuries that not only affect the muscles and ligaments, but tendons, bones and growth plates as well.”

Not only is participation in sports a great way to get kids off the couch to exercise, participating in sports also builds confidence, improves communication skills, instills responsibility and accountability and inspires teamwork. But, particularly for kids, there are precautions that should be taken to minimize a child’s risk of injury while promoting healthy activities.

Dr. Manalac recommends the following tips for parents:

Prioritize Rest Days

Youth sports can be overwhelming initially. Between conditioning, practice, home games, away games, academics and other sports related activities, young athletes are jugging a busy schedule. Rest days are important for the mind and body. They should have one or two days a week off and month per year off.

Avoid overdoing a single sport

It is suggested that at a young age, children and youth should not play one sport year-round. In fact, when they are young, participating in multiple sports brings several positives including using different muscles, increasing cognitive abilities, and introducing them to something they might continue enjoying well into adulthood. If they are training to continue their athletic career in one sport in college and beyond, invest in comprehensive training to stay well-conditioned and in shape in the off-season.

Physicals

While physicals are sometimes overlooked, they are important for many reasons. Children will learn at a young age the importance of regular physical exams, a habit they will take into adulthood. Scheduling regular exams with trusted doctors also ensures a child is in good physical condition to play sports. Holy Cross Health Urgent Care locations throughout South Florida offer school and sports physicals year-round. Urgent Care Centers are open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and until 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. For more information visit HolyCrossUrgentCare.com.

Teach them to listen to their bodies

If your child is constantly complaining about pain in a certain area of their body, they may just need some time off to rest, but in case it is more than that, consult with a physician. Playing through serious injuries will be more detrimental to their future than losing a couple days of practice.

Dr. Manalac specializes in internal medicine and is the sports medicine specialist at Holy Cross Health. His office hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. He is available for consult and can be reached at 954-958-4800.