Benefits of Youth Sport Participation
If one were to ask a parent to describe a typical summer weekend in Wisconsin, he or she may mention grilling out or mowing the lawn, but eventually someone would bring up their children’s athletic participation. Whether it is baseball, basketball, gymnastics, swimming, or any of the other numerous offerings, one thing is certain: youth sports are a big deal. The number of young athletes in America is estimated to be more than 45 million – that’s more than the entire state of California. This article is meant to highlight the benefits of youth sport participation and how utilizing a physical therapist for your young athlete is a great way to gain a competitive edge, promote safety and prevent injury, and have more fun.
The benefits of sport participation as a young person are truly outstanding. The physical benefits include stronger bones, muscles, and joints, more efficient heart and lung function, and improved coordination, while the social and behavioral benefits include improved confidence, teamwork development, and greater problem solving skills. The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity summarized the benefits very astutely when they published findings that indicate youth sport participation results in an increase in “overall life satisfaction”.
Sport participation does carry some inherent risk – most notably physical injury. Despite the presence of governing bodies and organizations that work to ensure standards with equipment, coaching, and participation to deliver the safest experience, the risk of injury remains. Recent estimates suggest that 1 of every 5 pediatric emergency room visits is the result of a sport related injury. However, working with a physical therapist during the preseason, in season, and during the offseason is an excellent way to ensure the highest level of safety
A great strategy to address potential injuries before they manifest is to participate in a pre-participation physical therapy screening. Some youth sport organizations require pre-participation physicals from a primary care physician, but a screen from a physical therapist is a much more in-depth look at muscle strength, balance, flexibility, and foundational skill and movement. This information can by synthesized by a physical therapist to identify patterns that indicate potential for injury – such as hip weakness and hamstring tightness resulting in knee pain for a soccer player or poor postural habits and limited shoulder strength resulting in elbow pain for a baseball pitcher.
As noted, sport related injuries account for a huge percentage of pediatric emergency room visits, but unless there is a serious injury such as a bone break, deep cut, or potential spinal cord injury, ER visits are often more expensive, carry longer wait times, and are less helpful at rehabilitating an injury compared to physical therapy. Residents in Wisconsin are entitled to “direct access” to physical therapy meaning one does not need a doctor’s prescription to receive PT care. Using physical therapy as a means of primary intervention after a sprain, strain, or bruise can help to clarify the severity of the injury, direct the individual towards specific medical care if necessary, and begin the healing process faster than going to an ER or walk-in facility.
Building strength, flexibility, and balance are often tasks that can take weeks or months to develop– not days. An athlete that prioritizes building these skills in the offseason is primed for a successful sport season that is often too short to otherwise improve performance. Working with a physical therapist or personal trainer at Health In Balance Physical Therapy in the offseason allows for the time to build a foundation of strength, mobility, and flexibility which helps to develop sport-specific skills during the season.