I love sports.  I love playing them, watching them, and pretty much anything that has to do with them.  But, I am starting to have a really hard time with a trend that I am noticing.  Kids in sports are becoming way too over worked.  I am seeing 11 and 12 year old kids that are having 3 baseball practices a week during basketball season.  So they are competing or practicing nearly 6 days a week, sometimes twice a day.  Now I do believe that sports are very good for kids.  They encourage team work, teach discipline and help make kids better people.  But what is happening  should alarm some parents.  Over use and fatigue is going to lead to an injury at some point.  You can chalk it up…(Pun intended)  :)

In the past there were breaks between sports, which allowed kids to recover.  Now there is no time for recovery, which isn’t good for kids that are still developing and haven’t gained the strength required for a schedule of this manner.  Sports over lap, seasonal sports have become year round, and at very early ages.  I would like to offer a few tips for families that have children participating in programs at this level.

1. Eat Healthy.  Make sure you child is maintaining a healthy weight and eating a well balanced diet.  Do not allow them to skip meals.  Increase fruits and veggies and lose the sugary foods.

2. Drink water!!  There is no reason to be drinking the popular sports drinks.  Young athletes should be drinking 5-8 8oz glasses of water a day. 

3.  Get some rest.  Kids need rest.  If they are feeling run down, allow them to take a day or 2 off.  It will help you in the long run.  Playing fatigued can only lead to one thing…Injuries.

If you have questions or your child is hurting check with your chiropractor and see how they can help you today.

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