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by Dr. Kwabena Blankson | Contributor
Athlete Summer Experiences
16-year-old Robin enjoyed an amazing summer. She journeyed across three states with her club soccer team and celebrated victories in two tournaments! With school about to commence, fall soccer practice is just around the corner.
On the other hand, 13-year-old Raymond had an incredibly laid-back summer. After a demanding high school baseball season, he deserved some rest. However, fall baseball is approaching, and he hasn’t swung a bat or sprinted 90 feet in nearly three months.
Risk of Overuse Injuries for Young Athletes
Both of these young sports enthusiasts are susceptible to overuse injuries.
The most frequent musculoskeletal injuries among youth are overuse injuries, which include Osgood-Schlatter syndrome (inflamed knee pain), patellofemoral pain syndrome (kneecap irritation), medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints), and stress fractures. Research suggests that the occurrence of overuse injuries in young athletes could be as high as 68%. These injuries can arise from various factors such as anatomical problems (e.g., muscle tightness, foot structure), poorly fitting gear (like improper footwear), inadequate recovery from previous injuries, biomechanical issues (for instance, stride length or gait), excessive use (as in Robin’s case), or a sudden shift from inactivity to excessive activity (as Raymond might experience).
How Parents Can Identify and Prevent Issues
1) Communicate with Your Teen.
It may seem straightforward, but discussing pain and fatigue with your teenager is crucial. Don’t solely depend on the coach to inquire; some coaches may push athletes experiencing pain, mistakenly treating it as a sign of toughness. An athlete enduring minor pain can easily become one suffering from significant pain without appropriate medical attention. Encourage your teenager to listen to their body and act accordingly!
2) Encourage Rest.
Rest is beneficial—actually, it’s essential. Teen athletes require sufficient sleep (8+ hours) for recovery. While training is essential, studies indicate that youth training over 16 hours weekly run a higher risk of requiring medical intervention due to injuries. Other research indicates training more hours than their age per week is a risk factor as well. It’s perfectly acceptable for parents to advocate for a “day off,” even if it makes them unpopular with the coach or their child. A doctor’s note can serve as additional support if needed.
Finally, one should remember another form of overuse injury—psychological burnout. This is a genuine concern. If a teenager exhibits prolonged fatigue, diminished sports performance, and a lack of enthusiasm for practice or competition, it might be burnout rather than laziness. This can be a plea for assistance from an adult willing to listen. Keeping workouts enjoyable, introducing cross-training, allowing one or two days of rest per week, and scheduling longer breaks are effective strategies to keep teenagers refreshed, focused, and prepared for success in sports, academics, and personal growth.
