Headlines everywhere scream of the obesity epidemic jeopardizing our kids’ health and happiness during the time in life they should be the most care free.  Children with excess pounds usually don’t have to worry about the ill effects of too much exercise but some kids are non-stop, athletic dynamos.  They play one sport after another, all year round, with little, if any, down time for their growing bodies to get some therapeutic rest and restoration.

These multi-talented young athletes risk injury from overusing their growing bodies.  As their bodies change, from a toddling little athlete to a collegiate star, different areas of their bodies become vulnerable to different kinds of injury.  Bodies growing as rapidly as our children’s grow need ample time between strenuous athletic events to simply let their bones and muscles rest.  It’s good for their minds, too, to take a break from the strategies of the sport.

These are the recommendations of Mark Halstead, MD, who specializes in pediatric sports medicine at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.  Halstead says kids need a full month resting from athletic competitions and practices.  He says kids need at least one full month totally dedicated to being just a kid.  He says the month of downtime keeps them stronger and healthier but, maybe best of all, it keeps them happier, too.

Halstead, also instructor of pediatrics and competitive sports at St. Louis’ Washington University School of Medicine, says the littlest athletes risk overuse bone injuries but their bigger brothers and sisters sustain more overuse injuries involving the ligaments and muscles.

In addition to enjoy a full month of just being a kid, Halstead offers these recommendations for keeping young athletes healthy and happy:

• Pain means no gain.  No exceptions.  Don’t foster an environment that leaves your child afraid or intimidated to report pain or injury.  Many injuries sustained during childhood have lifelong effects.
• Hey, little pitchers:  Leave those curveballs and sliders for the big kids.  These moves stress the elbows and shoulders.  Wait until you start shaving to tackle these pitches.  Give yourself time to build those back, shoulder, and arm muscles to pitch without overuse injury.
• Before puberty, let your child explore an assortment of sports.  He or she will put different sets of bones and muscles to work as they give each one a try.  This full-body workout builds strong bones and muscles without putting excess stress on any specific points.  Athletic performance changes as a child’s body does.  Wait until adolescence to consider specializing in one sport on a year-round basis or participating in more than one that employs similar movements.
• Nutrition is as important for little athletes as it is for world champs.  Feed your athlete like a champ now.  Put nutrient-dense foods on the table.  And pay special attention to fruits, vegetables and other foods that are high in iron and calcium.  Calorie count is important, too.  You don’t want to overload the calories but you don’t want to underfeed, either.
• Encourage your child to report pain and pay attention to it.  If pain of any intensity lasts two weeks or longer, it’s time to see a doctor.

Source: Washington University in St. Louis