COVID19 - Kids and Sport

RIGHT KIDS - IT’S TIME TO GET SPORT READY!

Returning to sport after lockdown

It’s likely there will be modified winter sport seasons, which may involve rapid return to activity for kids that have significantly reduced their loads over the last month of lockdown.

The reality of this scenario is that we may find some kids acquire overuse injuries and end up on the sidelines again – NO THANKS!

There is still some time before community sport will resume, so we have put together some tips to avoid injuries when kids return to play;

Build strength and stay strong

There are plenty of online resources available for kids to keep active and strong, or a Physiotherapist, Exercise Physiologist or Exercise Scientist can also prescribe a specific strengthening program for your child – please contact us for recommendations. Strong calves are important for running, jumping and bounding and can help prevent some overuse related injuries in the feet. We recommend calf raises as a great daily strengthening exercise.

Continue to train for your sport at home

Whether it is practicing ball skills, directional change or using a rebound net with your kids, keeping them in touch with their sport will wake up their sport specific motor patterns and get their muscles firing.

Continue to maintain running strength

Our bodies love consistency so that we can slowly build robust strength in running. Try setting up some running drills in the back yard or at your local oval.

Ensure a gradual return to pre-lockdown activity levels

A lot of common injuries in kids involve doing too much too soon. Make sure your kids progressively increase their sporting loads over a few weeks rather than going straight back into it.

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If you have any further questions, please contact Alysha or Nicki at the clinic on (03) 9598 8221 or admin@baysidesportspodiatry.com.au