Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
Author: Joel S. Brenner, MD, MPH and the Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness
The American Academy of Pediatrics addresses the issue of overtraining and overuse injuries in youth sports, as well as burnout. In this article Joel Brenner explains the risks and classifications of overuse injuries, provides a definition of overtraining and guidelines to prevent overtraining and burnout. Brenner also suggests modifications that can be made for endurance sports, weekend tournaments, year-around athletes, and multi-sport athletes. A good read for coaches and parents alike.
Click here to view article at the American Academy of Pediatrics website.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Sports Medicine and Fitness
This detailed article by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Sports Medicine and Fitness describes common habits leading to unhealthy weight, and provides suggestions for healthy alternatives for weight control in young athletes. Some of the topics discussed are: dehydration, binging/purging behavior, and weight and body-composition measurement.
Click here to view full article at the American Academy of Pediatrics website.
The Female Athlete Triad is a fairly new term explaining a serious combination of medical concerns associated with extreme training in female athletes. The Academy of Pediatrics explains the three main areas of this disfunction: disordered eating, menstrual dysfunction, and decreased bone mineral density. This committee has also formed an explanation of possible treatments and a list of recommendations.
Click here to view full article at the American Academy of Pediatrics website.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Sports Medicine and Fitness
Despite all of the cautions about performance enhancing drugs, they are still in play, sometimes with the approval of coaches and even parents.
This product from American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Sports Medicine and Fitness provides an objective review of the risks of performance enhancing substances. The risks are sobering to say the least.
Although the statement is aimed at pediatricians, it should be read by every coach, athletic director, and parent in an environment where athletes might be tempted to try steroids or other performance enhancing drugs. We can use this knowledge to proactively educate our athletes about the serious dangers of performance enhancing substances .
Click here to view the full report at the American Academy of Pediatrics website.
Weight training has now become a routine part of athletic training. Given the risks involved, it is important to monitor what our young athletes are doing. The American Academy of Pediatrics updated its policy statement on weight training for children and adolescents in 2008, offering sound advice for young athletes at every level. Read a summary of the AAP recommendations below, and read the full policy statement here.
Strength training programs for preadolescents and adolescents can be safe and effective if proper resistance training techniques and safety precautions are followed.
Preadolescents and adolescents should avoid competitive weight lifting, power lifting, body building, and maximal lifts until they reach physical and skeletal maturity.
Before beginning a formal strength training program, a medical evaluation should be performed by a pediatrician. If indicated, a referral may be made to a sports medicine physician who is familiar with various strength training methods as well as risks and benefits in preadolescents and adolescents.
Aerobic conditioning should be coupled with resistance training if general health benefits are the goal. Strength training programs should include a warm-up and cool-down component.
Specific strength training exercises should be learned initially with no load (resistance). Once the exercise skill has been mastered, incremental loads can be added.
Progressive resistance exercise requires successful completion of 8 to 15 repetitions in good form before increasing weight or resistance.
A general strengthening program should address all major muscle groups and exercise through the complete range of motion.
Any sign of injury or illness from strength training should be evaluated before continuing the exercise in question.
Thanks for promoting positive youth development through sports!
Over the past decade we have witnessed a trend toward intensive training and early specialization for young athletes. Experts are raising concerns about this trend and its impact on healthy growth and development of children and youth.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has published an interesting policy statement on the pros and cons of intensive training and early specialization. We highly recommend that parents, coaches, program directors, and board members read this policy statement and think carefully about the implications for your particular athletes.
