Sports are an excellent way to keep kids active and socially connected. It is important to remember a few things to help prepare young athlete’s bodies and protect them from sports-related injuries before they happen.
Follow a warm-up routine.
Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or underweight are both cause for concern. Make sure your child understands proper nutrition and caloric intake are needed for optimal performance and endurance.
Eat healthy meals. Make sure your child is eating a well-balanced diet and does not skip meals. Avoid high-fat foods, such as candy, fried food, and fast food. Supply them with fresh fruit, veggies, and protein bars made from whole foods for snacks on the go.
Drink water. Teenage athletes should drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Younger athletes should drink five to eight 8-ounce glasses of water.
Avoid sugar-loaded, caffeinated, and/or carbonated drinks.
Wear the proper equipment when required and make sure that the equipment is properly fitted to the child.
Get plenty of rest. Eight to ten hours of sleep is ideal.
Have your child examined by a Chiropractor. Doctors of chiropractic are licensed and trained to care for the neuro-musculoskeletal system and can provide advice on sports training, nutrition, and injury prevention to young athletes. A proper chiropractic evaluation by a Board Certified Pediatric Chiropractor can keep them in the game and help to minimize if not prevent injuries, particularly injuries leading to spinal injuries. Injuries to children’s spines are not unique to contact sports but are also seen in non-contact sports like cheerleading and gymnastics. Often, minor spinal injuries go unnoticed until adulthood, and thus take longer to make corrections.