Less bench, more play
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n ever-growing number of young athletes are participating in competitive sports at younger ages. Children and adolescents are involved in sports at schools, sports performance centers, and club teams. Regular participation in sports can facilitate improved academic performance, weight control, strengthen bone, and establish the young athlete’s good health habits well into adulthood. But there is a downside to the rise in sports participation. Healthcare providers are seeing a growing number of sports-related injuries in the young athlete. The challenge is to manage these injuries efficiently, and more importantly, to prevent them. Total elimination is an unrealistic goal, but an appropriately designed training program can reduce the likelihood of sports-related injuries in the young athlete. By addressing the risk factors associated with these injuries, both acute and overuse injuries could be reduced by up to 50 percent. The main risk factors include: Low fitness level for the demands of sport, muscle imbalances, poor movement technique and errors in training (think: “too much, too soon”) There are many mechanisms to help reduce the risk of these injuries. Coaching education, safe equipment, proper nutrition, and proper recovery (rest) cycles all contribute to the healthy athlete profile. However, the cornerstone of preventative measures is to enhance physical fitness for school-aged youth. There is not one combination of exercises or set program that is optimal. The most effective strategy should include a multifaceted program that increases muscle strength, optimizes movement technique, and focuses on functional demands of the sport. Designing a training program to make a young athlete more resistant to injuries should take into account both the physical development and the psychosocial uniqueness of the adolescent. Consider the following: ■ Have qualified instruction and supervision. ■ Begin with an active 5-10 minute warm-up. ■ Focus on developing proper exercise technique. ■ Include multi-joint exercises that coordinate the upper and lower body. ■ Use balance and coordination to train core control. ■ Cool down with less intense activities and stretching. ■ Vary strengthening program with elastic bands, athlete’s body weight, free weights and medicine balls.
Health Watch Michelle Cappello
twenty-four7 Get your event listed today. Call us at 925.566.8500 or e-mail us at calendar@ SportStarsMag.com.
Prerequisites apply. Info: 10 a.m.noon and 1-3 p.m. weekdays, 925-671-3404, www.cityofconcord.org. Registration: www.concordreg.org; by fax or in person drop-off sites available.
June Brentwood, CA Golf B.A.Y. Intermediate Junior Program Golf Instruction for beginning, intermediate and advanced skill levels.At Shadow Lakes Golf Academy. $120 per session. Jr. Green Fees June-August for intermediate and advanced program participants, $5. 925-5162837. Online registration: www. golfinbrentwood.com.
June 11 Concord, CA Swim Stroke & Racing Skills Clinics Clinic #1: Freestyle & Racing Skills. Ages 9-18, 6 p.m.-7:15 p.m. at Concord Community Pool. Offered by Terrapins Swim Team. $25/one clinic; $80/all four clinics. Info. and registration: www. terrapinswim.com.
June Concord, CA Bowling Summer at Clayton Valley Bowl Junior Adult Mixed 4’s, 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays; Junior League for kids 12:30 p.m.Thursdays; Junior Scratch, 5:30 p.m.Thursdays; “Digital Thunder” for kids, 4-6 p.m. Fridays. Fees, registration: 925-6894631, www.claytonvalleybowl.com. June Brentwood, CA Golf B.A.Y. Junior Golf Camps Instruction for beginning, intermediate and advanced skill levels, 9 a.m.-noon, MondaysWednesdays. $120 per session. Jr. Green Fees June-August for intermediate and advanced program participants, $5. 925-5162837. Online registration: www. golfinbrentwood.com. June 1-24 Concord, CA Swim Lifeguard Clinic Become a professional rescuer. Course No. 84511, ages 15+, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Concord Community Pool. Offered by City of Concord. $201 residents/$206 nonresidents.
June 11-12 Oakley, CA Cheer Cheergyms.com Two-Day Camp #3 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily at Freedom High School. $175 per participant; one coach per team is free; $75 each additional coach. Contact Morton Bergue, morton@cheergyms.com. 866685-7516, www.cheergyms.com. June 11-13 Concord, CA Basketball 2010 Saint Mary’s Basketball Team Camp Weekend session. Use Division I Facilities, including weight room, Madigan exercise facility and pool at the Concord Hilton. Hotel reservations: 925-827-2000, SMC Team Camp Rate. Info: Mark Campbell, 925-631-8268, markcampbell_1@yahoo.com. June 12 Concord, CA Cheer Cheergyms.com Coaches Camp 2010 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at Pyramids Gym. $100 adult coaches, 18+; $55 student coaches, 14-17. Contact Morton Bergue, morton@cheergyms. com. 866-685-7516, www.cheergyms.com.
sportstars
June 12 West Sacramento, CA Soccer Sacramento Cup soccer match San Jose Earthquakes vs. Chivas, 7 p.m. at Raley Field. MLS exhibition. Tickets, $25-$35, www.raleyfield.com or www.ticketmaster.com. June 13 Windsor, CA Soccer NorCal Premier Soccer Hosted by Sonoma County Alliance U8/U9/U10 is FULL - Teams being placed in ‘wait list’ status. Total of 15 fields available for Play Date, total of 120 teams. All games will be played in following two locations: Windsor High School & Wilson Ranch Soccer Park. Info: norcalpremier.com June 13 Rio Vista, CA Fundraiser Rio Vista Country Fun Run. Rio Vista High School Booster Club’s Country Fun Run in the Delta Country, 8 a.m. Get tee shirt and refreshments with entry. Fundraiser for Rio Vista High School. Entry: $30. Lenese Coughran, 707-374-5911. June 13-17 Moraga, CA Basketball Saint Mary’s College Traditional Camp 1 for Boys 8 a.m.-8 p.m., ages 8-14. Day/ Overnight-camper, $398-$495; Half Day option, $150; shorter Full Day option, $250. Info: 925631-4386. Registration: www. smcgaels.com. June 14-17 Moraga, CA Basketball Saint Mary’s College Girls Basketball Day Camp 9 a.m.-5 p.m., ages 7-17. Individual instruction, group instruction, game experience. $300. Info: 925631-4637,lral@stmarys-ca.edu. Registration: www.smcgaels.com.
June 14-17 Moraga, CA Softball Saint Mary’s College Softball Day clinic, 9 a.m.-noon daily. Ages 11-18. $230. 925-6314386, smccamps@stmarys-ca. edu; www.smcgaels.com. June 14-17 Moraga, CA Softball Saint Mary’s College Softball Traditional camp, 7:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m., overnight campers; 9 a.m.-8 p.m., day campers. Ages 8-17. $495/$398. 925-6314386, smccamps@stmarys-ca. edu; www.smcgaels.com. June 14-17 Moraga, CA Tennis Saint Mary’s College Tennis Day Cinic, coed, 18+. 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday. Specify NRTP Level. $50/wk. 925-631-4386, smccamps@stmarys-ca.edu; www. smcgaels.com. June 14-17 Moraga, CA Tennis Saint Mary’s College Tennis Junior Tennis, 9:45 a.m.-noon. Ages 7-18. Specify Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced. Players of all abilities. $150/wk. 925-6314386, smccamps@stmarys-ca. edu; www.smcgaels.com. June 14-17 San Ramon, CA Basketball Girls Basketball Camp 9 a.m.-noon daily at Dougherty Valley High School. For girls in grades 1-8. $100. 925-321-0993, dvanderhorst@ acosta.com. June 14-17 San Ramon, CA Basketball Girls Basketball Camp 9 a.m.-noon daily at Dougherty Valley High School. For girls in grades 1-8. $100. 925-321-0993, dvanderhorst@ acosta.com.
Michelle Cappello is a physical therapist with Sports Medicine For Young Athletes. If you have a question for Michelle or her staff, contact her at Health@sportstarsmag.com. Support Your Local Business • Say You Found Them In SportStars™
June 10, 2010
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