Posted by Signature Medical Group on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 in Sports Medicine
Last week, we celebrated National Youth Sports Safety Month with some tips for parents about reducing the risk of injury for young athletes. Here are 5 more tips to keep your child in good shape, while you cheer them onto victory!
1. If your daughter has not started her period by age 15, or if she is experiencing irregularity, make an appointment with her OB/GYN.
Often, not getting your period can be because you're not consuming enough calories to feed those high levels of activity. In some cases, your child's growth could be stunted and her athletic performance lowered. The first year or so of a young girl's period can be irregular; any time after that, you should make sure she talks with her doctor.
2. Sleep!
Teenagers and adolescents can be busy humans, with so many activities that it can seem pesky to get a few extra hours of sleep; but, young active bodies need at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep.
3. Eating disorders aren't just a female problem.
Eating disorders have become more common today in aesthetic or weight-restricted sports like ballet or wrestling. When talking to your child, discuss overall health and athletic performance instead of the number on the scale. Young athletes can put themselves at higher risk for a stress fracture when dropping weight very quickly. And young women who are trying to "cut" weight can stop getting their period.
4. Give your young athlete a small snack about 30 minutes after working out or playing sports!
This will help restore the glycogen stores in their muscles and hold them over until the next meal.
5. Have fun!
Make sure your child is playing sports because it's what they enjoy doing. By establishing a love of a sport, it can become a life-long healthy hobby!
Signature Medical Group's pediatricians, orthopedic surgeons and the rest of our team want to make sure that your young athletes are in optimal condition for their athletic events! If you want help in preparing them for the rigors of sports-or if you need help with a sport-related injury or concern-make an appointment with Signature Medical Group today.
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- athletes
- kids
- sports medicine
- teens