So it is only fitting that the presidient and CEO of Little League Baseball had an editorial in this Sundays Williamsport Sun-Gazette. It can be viewed by the article below (click to enlarge). Basically, it is an article cautioning youth and parents on overuse injuries.
There are a couple of interesting take home items here for all athletes, outside and inside the swimming community. He states that rest is crucial to youth sports (his concern is baseball) and that we should "order our boys and girls off the diamond and into the library or the swimming pool once or twice a week...". Swimming (not competitive swimming) is a great way to relax and have fun. Every child should be hitting the swimming pool at some time in the year. The library comment is also very good as every child should be reading a book.
The other comment he makes is ".. children and teens must be encouraged to vary the sports they play with each season, so they can work alternate muscles and give taxed joints a chance to rest and recover" So for those boys that wrestle and play football, come out for the swim team over the summer. Girls and boys that play soccer in that fall might want to look at the winter swim team as a way to work some parts of the body that get overused.
Swimmers are not exempt from this idea of repetitive injuries and should look at playing soccer, track, cross-country, basketball, baseball, and wrestling during the off-season. Check this Jersey Shore Swim blog on JS athletes who utilize different sports to prevent injury. Don't forget to visit the library to work the brain!
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