Getting your child ready for the season can seem like a daunting task for any parent. You want your child to succeed, have fun, and most importantly stay safe. As a parent, you can help your child to not only have a successful season, but to also build resilience that will hopefully last throughout the rest of their lives! We brought in a few professionals to help answer some questions!

Here are some tips on how to build a young resilient athlete and a few common pitfalls to avoid:

DON'T: PRACTICE POOR MECHANICS

Allowing your child to develop poor movement patterns will put them at a greater risk for injury and limit their performance potential. “Poor mechanics can be developed through things like having bad posture”, says Beau Saunier, owner of MoveRX Physical Therapy, “Good mechanics often have to be trained. Most athletes aren’t born with great mechanics. It’s our job to teach these proper mechanics and build good habits in athletes to help them move better.”

DO: LEARN CORRECT MOVEMENT PATTERNS

This will help your child not only avoid injury, but perform at a higher level. Working with a performance based physical therapist, such as MoveRX Physical Therapy, can ensure that your child is executing exercises correctly and safely. “Proper movement patterns are necessary for proper performance”, states Dr. Saunier, “This requires a blend of flexibility and strength. Proper movement takes pressure off of the joints and allows you to properly load the muscles and tendons. The better you move, the better you feel. The better you feel, the better you perform.”

DON'T: DO TOO MUCH, TOO SOON

Doing too much too soon is one of the most common mistakes made when preparing for the season. This can lead to burnout, mental fatigue, and overuse injuries. Athletes may feel pressure to gain weight, get faster, or become stronger in a short amount of time, but the reality is you want to develop a strong base. Which leads us to the next point.

DO: SLOWLY INCREASE LOAD

When strength training, it is important to slowly increase the load (weight) as your child adapts and becomes stronger. This will help minimize the risk of injury and allow for proper progression. The guidance of a trained coach is highly recommended for this. The Sports Performance coaches at Ragin Fitness Co. have developed a program that builds a base before sports specific application. “Working simple mechanics and body awareness will prep these young athletes for heavier loads and more advanced movements” advises Coach Sarah Fleming, “Once they learn these skills, you want to practice them everyday.”

DON'T: IGNORE SIGNS OF FATIGUE AND POOR RECOVERY

Summer workouts, especially in the Louisiana heat are challenging, even more so if you are not properly fueling your body. If your child is constantly feeling fatigued or not recovering well, it is important to take a step back and see what factors outside the gym can be improved. Sleep, hydration, nutrition, and recovery are all crucial elements to a resilient athlete. If your child is not getting enough electroyes after a hot workout, we highly reccomend BPN Electroyles.

DO: INCORPERATE PROPER NUTRITION AND HYDRATION HABITS

These habits are essential for any athlete, but especially youth athletes. Ensuring that your child is eating healthy foods and drinking enough water will help them perform at their best and recover properly. “Kids these days aren’t getting nearly enough protein, the easiest way to get these nutrients is through steak, chicken, fish, eggs, or a whey protein,” recommends Fleming.

If you or your child is interested in working with these two coaches contact us today for a free evaluation!

BUILD A YOUNG, RESILIENT ATHLETE. WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN’T.