Adversity in Sports

How many athletes out there are suffering injuries that may change and impact their lives going forward? The research suggests that there are more injuries now then ever before, even though we have much more advanced training centers and medical information. What seems to be the issue is the expectations set for younger athletes to excel at an earlier age. I find it crazy when kids are told to go faster and push harder when are not ready to. Every athlete physically and emotionally develops at different stages. So many times an athlete who has mechanical issues try’s harder, runs faster, pushes it more right into an injury because of mechanical and physical development. If an athlete does not have the capacity at 12 years old to run a 4.5 second 40 yard dash, why do you think they should be able to? More work, try harder, and pushing it to hard to fast does not work. We have to face the facts that not every athlete who plays at a young age will be a superstar. My experience tells me to be patient with performance and treat the body like a machine. Work the basics and teach athletes to develop a body awareness on how they feel, and build upon that. Help educate on proper movement patterns, and treat each athlete different. We can not train young athletes like professionals or college players.

Now if an athlete sustains an injury what should you do? First step is to take any and every injury seriously. Never underestimate when your child tells you they have a sore ankle, knee, back, etc. If it becomes more bothersome to them do not say ”Get over it and get out there,!” This can have emotionally damaging effects later. When necessary always seek qualified medical information and listen to them. Do not take matters into your own hands as parents who just want their athlete to play. Once an expert has diagnosed the ailment, do what is necessary to take the steps to rehab the injury physically. Once completed please get a release to go back to playing. This process is taken very seriously with concussions and should also with other injuries. The long term effects of acute musculoskeletal injuries are staggering.

What else should we do? We need to then discuss the emotional effects of injuries with the athlete. This is serious stuff. We always hear that kids are not tough and they should do this, and this and this and then they will be fine. That’s not the case. After an injury there is usually a fear or re-injury, especially if the injury is not fully healed before the athlete rejoins the sport. Lets be clear here, every sport and activity such as dance, poms, and cheer, has the potential of injury! The injury needs to be discussed and the re-entry into full activity needs to be slow and controlled. If there is pain that is real, fear can turn into movement compensations which will cause more issues. For example: Sprained ankle- athlete starts to run different, knee starts to hurt, then some tightness on opposite side, then the back begins to be sore. Foot then can develop a bit of soreness on bottom(potential plantar fasciitis) and shins bother them because they may run different. See my point. Some injuries and conditions may never exhibit pain at first, but once they detected prior to pain they also need to be addressed.

Talk to athletes that have gone through prior injuries and see how they handled them Ask them how they felt coming back. Talk with other parents regarding the matter. There will be adversity to all this. The athlete has to regain self trust, trust from teammates and trust from coaches. Going to practice afraid is no good. Athletes may even quit sports all together because the pressure to come back is too great and they will never regain what they had or go to the top. I am a firm believer that going through injuries the proper way can build character and be a guide to others. Make sure from a young age the athlete develops good mechanics and form to progress at a slow controlled pace, pressure free. This is also good for kids who start competitive sports a bit later, say 7th or 8th grade who have not developed yet. Try to minimize the risk of injury through patience and conditioning. Listen to the athlete and their emotional state in all this, and research other activities if the one they play currently is causing problems. If football is too much pressure, try lacrosse for example. The one thing I will always stress is to stay active and to stay involved.

Thanks goes out to Roadrunner sports and their continued support of our athletes. They provide fantastic service to those seeking proper footwear for sports and for properly assessing and fitting the athletes. Raul your the best at what you do!!!

Harmon Performance Training