Playing a sport is, quite often, a healthy part of childhood. It doesn't matter which particular sport a child plays (soccer, football, basketball, just to name a few), the majority of children take part in at least one. Even though sports are a healthy aspect of childhood, it is critical for young children (and their coaches) to understand the importance of injury prevention and proper nutrition. As athletes grow and develop - and as their sports become increasingly competitive - spinal adjustments, likewise, have become popular.
Engaging in youth athletics is fundamentally positive for a child. Even so, without adhering to the proper safety precautions, injury could occur. Before encouraging a child to play sports, it is important to pay close attention to the tyke's physical development. Each sport has particular requirements and demands - these factors cannot be overlooked.
Some sports, such as the highly competitive wrestling or physically demanding gymnastics, need special attention; parents and coaches must do their part to prepare each child for the inherent demands of each. Focus on building a solid routine of training, which should consist of strength training, stretching, and warm-up protocols.
It's important to teach children about each sport they participate in - and especially about how to prep their bodies for athletic action. Warm ups generally start with light movement - jogging in place and or jumping rope - and moves on to more specifically target exercises, depending on the sport.
The following are some tips which will help you to be confident that your little athlete is learning the proper protocol to reach fitness success. With a little practicality, your child will be safeguarded against injury and be ready for competition!
Make sure you obtain the correct equipment: Without the proper protection - such as helmets, shoes, and pads - additional injury could occur. Do whatever it takes to maintain and/or replace equipment every step of the way.
Eat smart: Insist that your child adhere to the food pyramid (avoiding foods high in sugar, overly processed products, and empty calories. It's best for a young athlete to consume lean meats, veggies, whole grains and legumes to achieve prime physical condition.
Keep track of your weight: Not all sports - like figure skating and gymnastics - require strict dieting but regardless, the pressure to be thin is universally felt. Make sure you teach your child about proper nutrition, including the necessary amount of calories needed to ensure optimal athletic performance - AND look and feel well.
Get enough water: It isn't a myth; water is essential to athletics. Young children need about five glasses of water, while adults require as many as ten.
Drink milk: Stress the importance of milk consumption, both for young athletes and weekend warriors alike. Children above the age of two should no longer drink whole milk - give them low-fat milk, such as 1 percent, instead.
Avoid consuming caffeinated, carbonated, or sugary beverages: Choose water, first and foremost, and then consider replenishing the body with a sports drink, especially if the sport is endurance based, as is the case with track and field.
Warm up: Do not neglect this fundamentally essential aspect of exercise. Have your child jump rope, jog slowly, or lift light weights in order to loosen the muscles and get them ready to be effectively - and safely - stretched.
Rest: Maintain an average of eight hours of sleep, no matter what may be going on in your (or your child's) life. Without adequate recharge time, your body will be unable to compete at its optimal level.
Chiropractic care is one of the ways to maintain your competitive edge. Many Olympic athletes seek the regular counsel of a chiropractor. A doctor of chiropractic is a trained professional and will be readily equipped to help your child remain ready for peak performance.
Athletes at this level are keenly aware of the benefits of chiropractic care. Chiropractors utilize a whole body approach to wellness, making sure that each aspect of proper health is being addressed. Those athletes who make use of such adjustments are not strangers to the multitude of benefits often associated with chiropractic care.
Chiropractors are especially trained to treat patients at the neuromuscularskeletal level. A chiropractor is readily available to treat athletes, regardless of their level, so seek out a doctor of chiropractic when you or your child is ready for a comprehensive approach to good health.