Health Tip: Help Protect Young Athletes
Participating in sports is a great way for kids to get exercise and to be involved in school and community, but precautions must be taken to help avoid injury.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these recommendations to help young athletes stay safe:
- Make sure your child is fit enough to play his or her chosen sport.
- Your child should understand and follow the rules of the sport.
- Your child should always wear protective equipment, -- including a helmet, shin guards, etc. -- as appropriate for the sport.
- Teach your child how to properly use and adjust the equipment.
- Teach your child to always warm up appropriately.
- Your child should never be allowed to play sports when he or she is extremely tired or in some kind of pain.
Health Tip: Too Much Exercise Isn't Good Either
Getting regular exercise is great for your body and can help relieve stress. But as with any beneficial activity, you can overdo it.
The American Council on Exercise offers these warning signs of over-exercise:
- Difficulty exercising to your normal level.
- Feeling uncoordinated.
- Taking longer than usual to recover.
- Faster heart rate (in the morning) and blood pressure levels at rest.
- Lack of appetite.
- Headache and muscle aches.
- Digestive or stomach problems.
- More frequent illness, bone injuries or muscular injuries.
- Problems sleeping.
No comments:
Post a Comment