Sy Schlager on the Media Coverage of Youth Sports Injuries
Over the past several years fear has risen in the media about injuries in youth sports, and for a good reason. An alarming increase in injuries is occurring in children’s sports from ages 5-17. As noted physician Dr. Sy Schlager describes, this increase only follows the increase that there has been a large spike in participation in youth sports. This brings into light the question of how to properly prevent childhood sports injuries in the first place.
Sy Schlager: The Steps In Preventing Injury
Many injuries that occur in youth sports are due to lack of core strength. For example, a very common injury in youth sports occurs in America’s favorite pastime – baseball. Children who start pitching at an early age use too much shoulder and arm strength to throw the ball. When in reality, the force behind pitchers’ fastballs is derived from their legs and their core.
As Sy Schlager mentions, the majority arm and rotator injuries can be avoided by strengthening leg and core muscles. Generally speaking, children are very resilient to pain and injury. However, if pain persists in a child, medical attention from physicians like Sy Schlager is highly recommended.
Dr. Sy Schlager: The Benefits Of Youth Sports
One of the major reasons that youth sports participation and injury rates have increased is because there is a wave of childhood obesity in this country. In turn, regularly scheduled physical activity like youth sports are highly recommended. Despite the risks behind any physical activity, Dr. Sy Schlager reinforces the countless benefits of exercise. Physical activity for children has direct links to lowering the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and a number of other health complications later on in life.
In addition, if children are physically active they tend to develop behavior patterns toward doing so the rest of their lives. Furthermore, childhood sports are great environments for building social skills. Research has shown that exposing children to team activities build vital skills in mechanics and analyzing rules as well.
Dr. Sy Schlager: For The Children
If one thing is assured, it’s that childhood sports will never die in this country. Children love it and so do their parents. The skills and health benefits that a child receives far outweigh the risk of injury. However, that is no reason not to worry about injury.
Sy Schlager reminds his patients the importance of education. It is important that parents educate and help their take the proper steps in preventing sports related injuries.