There's so much pressure on young athletes these days to be stronger, faster, more flexible, and better than ever before. Where's the line between helping teen athletes be the best they can be and over-training into injuries and/or burnout that could have long-term repercussions on their physical and mental health? Clinic Director Dr. Michael Vishion - a former multi-sport athlete and a parent of high-performing teen athletes - counsels coaches and parents on walking the tightrope between nurturing excellence and protecting their short- and long-term health in the Center for Performance Medicine & Rehabilitation's latest seminar.

1. Dr. Michael A. Vishion
Clinic Director
Center for Performance Medicine & Rehabilitation
Safe Performance Training
for Teen Athletes

2. What Many Of Us Really Want!

3. • Natural to want the best for our kids!
• But YOU must be the adult in the parent-child relationship
--You must sometimes make hard decisions
--Goal is not popularity
--Goal IS long-term health & satisfaction
• Seek guidance from mentors and professionals
--Family/friends who've raised teen athletes
--Medical professionals
--Guidance counselors & therapists
--Clergy/youth ministers
Don't Beat Yourself Up…

4. The American Academy of Pediatrics Council
on Sports Medicine and Fitness
recommends:
• limiting 1 sporting activity to a maximum
of 5 days per week
• at least 1 day off from any organized
physical activity
• at least 2 to 3 months off per year from
their particular sport during which they
can:
--let injuries heal
--refresh the mind
--work on strength, conditioning &
proprioception
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics - Overuse Injuries, Overtraining, and
Burnout in Child and Adolescent Athletes (reaffirmed June 2014)
How Much Should Kids Be Doing?

5. Teen Athlete Training Tips
• Generally, young athletes should not train more hours per
week than their age (ex. 10 year olds=10 hrs training).*
• If they do train for longer than the recommended time,
they should be monitored by a qualified sports doctor with
expertise in young athletes.**
• No matter the training length, always monitor joint pain.**
• If joint pain persists after two weeks, it's time for a visit to
the doctor.**
*Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
**Source: Dr. Lyle Micheli, co-founder/director of world's first sports medicine clinic for children at Boston Children's
Hospital & past president, American College of Sports Medicine

6. From the American Academy of Pediatrics, burnout is:
“a series of psychological, physiologic, and hormonal changes that
result in decreased sports performance.”
Overtraining Syndrome (aka "Burnout")

7. Common manifestations may include:
--chronic muscle or joint pain
--personality changes
--elevated resting heart rate
--decreased sports performance
--lack of enthusiasm about practice or competition
--difficulty with successfully completing usual routines
Overtraining Syndrome (aka "Burnout")

8. • Up to 50% of injuries seen
in pediatric sports medicine
clinics are related to
overuse.
• 70% of children drop out of
organized sports by age 13.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
What Harm Can Overtraining Cause?

9. Overuse injuries
• Damage to a bone, muscle, ligament, or tendon due to
repetitive stress without allowing time for the body to heal.
• Examples
--shin splints
--tennis elbow
--swimmer’s shoulder
--little league elbow
--runner’s knee
--jumper’s knee
--achilles tendonitis
What Harm Can Overtraining Cause?

10. 4 stages of overuse injuries:
• Pain in the affected area after
physical activity
• Pain during physical activity,
not restricting performance
• Pain during physical activity,
restricting performance
• Chronic, persistent pain even
at rest
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
What Harm Can Overtraining Cause?

11. • Rest days are essential to refresh and regenerate.
• Muscles need time to repair themselves & keep the
"instrument fine tuned."
• Remember they're kids – no matter how good they are,
sports/activities should be fun!
"But We Don't Want Them To Miss An Opportunity!"

12. • Early diversification and late
specialization has been
found to be most effective
and result in the most
success.
• American Academy of
Pediatrics recommends
delaying sports specialization
until late adolescence (age
15-16) to minimize risks of
overuse injury.
"But If We Don't Do This They'll Get Behind!"

13. Balance
Perspective
Remember Two Very Important Words

14. Numerous studies
have shown that
children who
diversify their play
are more likely to
enjoy physical
activity throughout
their lives & are
more successful in
achieving their
athletic goals.
Balance (Not The "On One Foot" Kind)

15. It's OK to want your kids to do well at what they love, but
don't let what your child does define who they are.
• Realistic Expectations - not everyone is the best, and not
everyone wins.
• Look In, Not Out – encourage your child to set personal
goals and find personal satisfaction in reaching those goals,
instead of relying on outside feedback from coaches,
judges, teammates (and even parents!) for affirmation.
• Trust The Pros – find the best coaches/teachers, then trust
their experience & expertise.
• Practice Gratitude – the fact they can do what they love is
a gift many kids don't have. Athletes & parents, be grateful!
Perspective

16. For more information, contact:
Dr. Michael Vishion
Clinic Director
Center for Performance Medicine & Rehabilitation
636-778-3028
DrVishion@GetHealthySTL.com