Ways to Get (& Keep) Young Athletes In
Shape
It's time to return to the classroom - and playing field - for
many kids and young adults. In fact, more than 38 million children
and adolescents participate in organized sports in the U.S. each
year. Like anything, preparation is key. Here are some tips to help
student athletes achieve top performance and remain safe no matter
what the sport - basketball, football, hockey, cross country or
soccer.
1. Combination Training
While the intensity and volume of exercise will differ for younger
children and teenagers, all workouts should combine resistance and
sport-specific training. Sport-specific training addresses the
skills and movements a sport requires, while resistance training
increases overall strength, power and endurance.
Resistance exercise is an essential element of fall training
since, as an analysis of any game or event confirms, most athletes
require explosive power, muscular endurance and maximal strength in
order to excel. Therefore, products like the NZ Manufacturing
TurfCordz® line should be an integral conditioning component
for power athletes such as football and rugby players, as well as
those involved endurance events like cross country.
The TurfCordz Resist-Assist
provides resistance training in multiple directions for two
athletes. Used for core strength and agility workouts, it can help
young athletes develop greater acceleration and explosiveness
through start drills and power-building footwork exercises.
2. Injury Prevention
Approximately 3.5 million children receive medical treatment for a
sports-related injury each year. Sixty-two percent of
sports-related injuries occur during practice. To prevent acute and
overuse injuries, teach your youth proper routines for both
warm-ups and cool-downs before and after practice and play. Also,
be sure kids are in the proper physical condition to play the
sport, follow the rules, and know how to use their athletic
equipment. Plus, always make sure adequate water or other liquids
are available to maintain their proper level of hydration.
3. Healthy Lifestyles
To make the most impact on the field, student athletes need to
make adequate sleep and a healthy diet part of their daily routine
off the field. They should eat whole foods - like milk, lean meats,
fruits and vegetables - as well as avoid high-fat, high-sugar foods
such as ice cream, candy and french fries. What's more, kids should
limit their consumption of those popular energy drinks that contain
caffeine and ephedrine.
So when it comes to fall training, don't fall
behind. Now's the time to tweak your team's routine for
peak performance. The right training will help your youngsters be
the fastest, strongest, most agile athletes they can be on the
field, court, or rink this season. And NZ Manufacturing TurfCordz®
are here to help. Order yours today!
Please Note: Always talk with a qualified healthcare provider
before initiating any exercise program.