By Linda Flanagan — 2017
Research makes clear the drastic effects of head injuries on young athletes, and advocates are asking states and schools to do more.
Read on www.theatlantic.com
CLEAR ALL
For the first time in forever, Nathan Adrian truly has no idea if he’ll have a strong swim Friday. And at this point, it doesn’t really matter to the five-time Olympic gold medalist. He’s simply elated to be back.
‘Skin cancer worked its way into my lymph nodes. I was devastated.’
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How one teen is using her tragic injury to take down the warrior culture in sports.
Injuries, while hopefully infrequent, are often an unavoidable part of sport participation. While most injuries can be managed with little to no disruption in sport participation and other activities of daily living, some impose a substantial physical and mental burden.
One of the more difficult situations you may face as a parent is dealing with a coach who is a bully. Unlike the typical "schoolyard bullies," this type of bully is more dangerous and is harder to recognize.1 Consequently, many parents don't even realize that the coach is bullying their child.
Covert emotional abuse (CEA) is a tightly woven web meant to ensnare and control the victim. It can lead to other forms of abuse. Signs of CEA in sports include a perpetrator creating a sense of specialness in the victim, and cultivating self-doubt and dependency.
Active kids need "high-octane" fuel. In addition to calories for daily activities, health, brainpower and growth, child athletes need energy for sports. To give their performance a boost, feed these young athletes power foods packed with nutrients.
A couple of months of the year, encourage them to do something else. If they play soccer, they could switch off to tennis.
It’s wonderful that your child wants to play at a higher level, but you need to be sure they understand what all you’re signing up for if they make the team.
Be mindful of a young athlete’s psychological well-being.