For sports medicine physicians one of the most challenging aspects of treating young athletes can often be speaking with the child's parents. In some situations, parents push their children to achieve success in athletics which could lead to a college scholarship or a professional career. When their child becomes injured, parents could see these future possibilities begin to slip away. Patrick Wupperman, MD, a physician with Azalea Orthopedics in Texas, offers tips for physicians advising parents of young athletes.
1. Provide questions directed toward prevention. The early signs of overuse can be easily detected when a child experiences pain in specific areas. Dr. Wupperman recommends providing parents with a set of directive questions to regularly ask their child about the pain he or she is experiencing. If the parent detects symptoms of overuse, they can redirect their child's activity or seek advice from a physician before the problem becomes a serious injury. The point is to educate the parent and child by giving them the directive questions for them to make an informed decision. Once they have a better understanding of what to look for the probability of an injury is decreased.
2. Discuss cross-training. Dr. Wupperman explained that many sports injuries occur because athletes are participating in the same sport all year round, which means constantly repeating the same motions. Specializing in one sport can lead to overusing muscles. Young athletes should take two or three months away from their primary sport and participate in another activity. For example if a child’s primary sport is baseball, parents can encourage a running sport for the fall to rest the shoulder for the spring season. This practice relieves their muscles of the stress connected with their primary sport while remaining focused and in-shape for next season.
3. Remind parents about youth activity goals. Sometimes, injuries for young athletes occur because the child is overly competitive or feels pressure to perform at a higher level than their physical capabilities. Physicians should remind parents to promote the idea of sports for exercise, leadership, teambuilding, sportsmanship and enjoyment instead of strict competition. Parents can create a dialogue with their child by asking educational questions about what they learned in practice or what their favorite part of the game was. This reduces the pressure for the child and reminds them about why they choose to play.
“Azalea Orhtopedics has some great handouts we give to our parents so they understand some the goals of playing at the little league levels," says Dr. Wupperman. "We try to train kids that it’s more about personal advancement in sports than a competition."
Dr. Wupperman also adds that, “Parents can be a tremendous influence on their children. As parents we have a tendency to forget that is it not always about winning. Of course we want our kids to win, but at what price”
Along with several other nationwide physicians, Dr. Wupperman takes part in the STOP (Sports Trauma and Overuse Prevention) Campaign geared toward preventing sports injuries in kids. The campaign is sponsored by many groups including the American Orthopaedic and Society for Sports Medicine.
Learn more about STOP.
Read other coverage on sports medicine.
- Physician to the Stars: MLB Team Orthopedic Physicians
- 4 Ways to Improve Profits at Sports Medicine Centers
- Trends in Sports Medicine: Q&A with AOSSM President Dr. Robert Stanton
1. Provide questions directed toward prevention. The early signs of overuse can be easily detected when a child experiences pain in specific areas. Dr. Wupperman recommends providing parents with a set of directive questions to regularly ask their child about the pain he or she is experiencing. If the parent detects symptoms of overuse, they can redirect their child's activity or seek advice from a physician before the problem becomes a serious injury. The point is to educate the parent and child by giving them the directive questions for them to make an informed decision. Once they have a better understanding of what to look for the probability of an injury is decreased.
2. Discuss cross-training. Dr. Wupperman explained that many sports injuries occur because athletes are participating in the same sport all year round, which means constantly repeating the same motions. Specializing in one sport can lead to overusing muscles. Young athletes should take two or three months away from their primary sport and participate in another activity. For example if a child’s primary sport is baseball, parents can encourage a running sport for the fall to rest the shoulder for the spring season. This practice relieves their muscles of the stress connected with their primary sport while remaining focused and in-shape for next season.
3. Remind parents about youth activity goals. Sometimes, injuries for young athletes occur because the child is overly competitive or feels pressure to perform at a higher level than their physical capabilities. Physicians should remind parents to promote the idea of sports for exercise, leadership, teambuilding, sportsmanship and enjoyment instead of strict competition. Parents can create a dialogue with their child by asking educational questions about what they learned in practice or what their favorite part of the game was. This reduces the pressure for the child and reminds them about why they choose to play.
“Azalea Orhtopedics has some great handouts we give to our parents so they understand some the goals of playing at the little league levels," says Dr. Wupperman. "We try to train kids that it’s more about personal advancement in sports than a competition."
Dr. Wupperman also adds that, “Parents can be a tremendous influence on their children. As parents we have a tendency to forget that is it not always about winning. Of course we want our kids to win, but at what price”
Along with several other nationwide physicians, Dr. Wupperman takes part in the STOP (Sports Trauma and Overuse Prevention) Campaign geared toward preventing sports injuries in kids. The campaign is sponsored by many groups including the American Orthopaedic and Society for Sports Medicine.
Learn more about STOP.
Read other coverage on sports medicine.
- Physician to the Stars: MLB Team Orthopedic Physicians
- 4 Ways to Improve Profits at Sports Medicine Centers
- Trends in Sports Medicine: Q&A with AOSSM President Dr. Robert Stanton