The opportunities for sports participation for kids explode in the spring and summer. Whether at camp, in leagues, or in pickup games around the neighborhood, there’s plenty of opportunity from dawn to dusk for athletic children to stay active.
However, the warmer season has its own risks. Dr 2 Kids, Smita Tandon MD in Fountain Valley, California, recommends a focus on hydration as well as attention to conditioning and recovery, areas that get overlooked in enthusiasm for the game.
In this blog, we’ll look at five factors that can make or break a successful sports season. Consider these and build strategies for your own potential problem areas.
Always an issue for young sports participants, the hot temperatures of summer increase the rate of moisture loss through heavier sweating. Another factor that’s easy to overlook is the amount of time during the longer days that your child stays active.
Sure, their sport may consume an hour or two, but the rest of the day may also be at a high pace. Encourage water consumption throughout the entire day to provide adequate hydration for everything they do, and consider electrolyte replacement for high-intensity sports.
While our area avoids the extremes of summer heat that some parts of the country endure, highs in the low 80s can still create heat exhaustion. Signs of this include confusion, lack of coordination, heavy sweating, nausea, and weakness. Insist on breaks out of direct sun.
That’s a great time to reapply sunscreen to guard against ultraviolet light exposure. Water activities and sweat require more frequent reapplications. Follow your broad-spectrum sunscreen’s directions for age-appropriate coverage.
Kids tend to chase fun rather than measure performance. Exercise and practice may be “boring” by comparison to the excitement of competition. Stress the importance of pregame preparation, and not just warm-up and cool-down exercise and stretching.
Training sessions help develop form and mechanics that keep their bodies healthy through their activities, as well as building strength and endurance.
The child athlete who rushes between baseball diamonds, soccer fields, and swimming pools enjoys a wide range of motion that helps keep joints balanced and strong. If your child focuses on a single sport or position, it can lead to strain on certain muscle groups leading to repetitive strain disorders.
In their case, insist on resting days or, if they have energy to spare, mixed activity days to prevent the irritation of soft tissues that can keep them on the sidelines.
Fast food stops are often a time-saving way to endure the busy crunch of sports activities. Any parent with a couple active kids has chauffeur nightmare stories.
High-fat, high-sugar, highly processed food isn’t sustainable for proper nutrition. Aim for whole foods across the spectrum of food groups, including carbohydrates, fruits, lean proteins, and vegetables. Keep plenty of healthy snacks on hand for quick refreshment.
Emphasize the importance of sleep and help your athlete stick to a consistent schedule, since sleep is a key part of rebuilding their bodies.
Summer sports are about confidence, fitness, and fun, not burning out or getting injured. Master these five priorities and your athletic child is ready for their game.
Contact Dr 2 Kids, Smita Tandon MD, online or by phone, whenever you need advice or treatment for sports injuries. We also provide sports physicals if your child needs clearance. Book your appointment with us today.
