Summer is an important time to prepare budding athletes for fall sports. To make sure they hit the ground running, parents need to schedule children’s annual physicals and help them remain in shape for upcoming practices. 

Sports physicals required
“It’s essential for parents to schedule physicals early,” says Anne-Marie Moore, MD, a primary care doctor specializing in sports medicine with TRIA Orthopaedic Center — a partnership between Park Nicollet Health Services, the Orthopaedic Center and University of Minnesota Physicians. “In general, high schools do not allow kids to participate in sports unless they’ve had a preparticipation physical exam and have turned in all necessary paperwork.”

Annual exams benefit all children, even those who don’t participate in sports. Physicals allow preteens and teens to maintain relationships with doctors and discuss any number of concerns, including emotional and behavioral issues, such as anxiety, depression or ADHD, and sensitive topics, such as sexual activity, birth control or drug and alcohol abuse. Physicals also allow doctors to make sure children’s immunizations are up-to-date. See Back-to-school ABCs from a doctor’s perspective.

Address nagging aches and pains. Many athletes use summer physicals to determine what’s causing ongoing discomfort, lingering injury or pain. Sometimes, X-rays or MRIs may be necessary for diagnosis. Depending on the prognosis, doctors may prescribe rest, cross training, physical therapy or even surgery. “The goal is to use the summer months productively so athletes are 100-percent ready for sports by fall,” Dr. Moore says.

Getting ready for fall sports

• Keep active all summer long. When preteens and teens resume organized sports, many find themselves unable to keep up with strenuous practices. “For teens not used to rigorous training and exercising, the return to organized sports can lead to muscle discomfort, stress reactions, stress fractures, ligament and tendon injuries. Teens who plan on participating in fall sports can avoid these concerns by maintaining a level of activity throughout the summer, including cardiovascular endurance, strength and conditioning, and focusing on core muscle stabilization.”
• Have appropriate equipment. Properly-fitted equipment is a top priority — especially footwear. Footwear issues can quickly lead to ankle, knee, hip and back problems. Mouthguards are required for some sports. To be effective, mouthguards must fit appropriately. Remember, last year’s mouthguard is not guaranteed to work well this year, especially if children have braces.
• Maintain hydration. “It is important for athletes to listen to their bodies and drink when thirsty — especially on hot, humid days, or when wearing heavy equipment (football). These conditions interfere with the body’s ability to dispel heat. Sports drinks are helpful in replacing electrolytes, but don’t drink these exclusively instead of water. I also remind athletes that popular energy drinks do not make them better athletes,” Dr. Moore says. “Often this surge of caffeine can result in a ‘crash’ afterward, which can interfere with performance. High levels of caffeine also can disrupt sleep patterns.”

Emotional well-being equally important
Many high school students — and their parents — feel the need to achieve as much as possible in both sports and academics. “It is important for students, parents and coaches to have the same priorities. First and foremost, kids are in school to achieve an education. Too much pressure can lead to stress, injury and burnout,” Dr. Moore continues. (To learn how sleep affects emotional well-being, read Sounding the alarm on sleep habits)

Talk scheduled for parents of athletes: Joel Boyd, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon at TRIA Orthopaedic Center and team doctor for the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Wild, will discuss “Straight talk for Parents of Athletes: More than Just a Cheerleader.” Mark your calendar for Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. TRIA Orthopaedic Center is located at 8100 Northland Drive (Hwy. 494 and France Avenue), Bloomington. The event is free, but registration is appreciated. Please call 952-806-5696.

To learn more about the benefits of annual physicals, call 952-993-5500, or visit parknicollet.com.