Competitive sports can be demanding on a young body. Each year thousands of kids get involved in team sports like soccer and baseball, and many others play individual sports like golf and tennis.
Whichever sport your child prefers, it is important to remember that a key element of a successful sports season is a complete physical exam.
A thorough medical exam may highlight your child's strengths and weaknesses, which may help in choosing the right sport for a child's unique picture of health, knowledge, physical maturity and growth. It is also a chance for parents to receive valuable counseling on injury prevention, dietary needs and sports safety.
Children often seem to have perfect health and an endless supply of energy. That's one reason many parents fail to have their children screened for cardiovascular or blood pressure abnormalities. In particular, undetected heart abnormalities can lead to serious injury or even death to a young athlete at play. Athletes, young and old, should get regular health screenings to help identify any potential risks.
In addition to regular screenings, young athletes should go see a doctor if they have symptoms that could indicate a heart problem, including:
- Fainting frequently during exercise
- Heart palpitations
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
In addition to regular health screenings, parents should be aware of the potential for physical injury to children To promote safe playing, keep the following tips in mind:
- Pay attention and listen when your child complains of soreness or pain – have a doctor check out the injury right away.
- Encourage local baseball organizations to use helmets with face guards and softer-than-standard balls.
- Help prevent eye injuries by having your child wear safety goggles when appropriate.
- Make sure all equipment, including cleats, gloves and safety goggles, fit your child properly.
- Pay attention to the safety equipment on your child's team and volunteer to help find the supplies and resources the team needs to be safe.
All that exercise takes energy, so be sure the kids refuel with healthy snacks. According to the American Dietetic Association, the number of American Children who are overweight has doubled in the past decade. So if your child is snacking, make sure there's healthy food around.
Instead of giving your child chips, candy bars and cookies, try these nutritious alternatives:
- Bagels toasted and topped with low-fat cheese
- Roll a tortilla around some low-fat cheese, salsa and lettuce
- Smear graham crackers with peanut butter and serve with a glass of juice
- Carrot and celery sticks dipped in low fat dressing
- Fruits and vegetables such as apples, grapes and bananas
For more information, call 915-577-6000.