What does an ACL really cost? The financial and intangible costs to players and families
Author note: Part I of 2 part article. Next Up — Balancing the Books: Effective ACL Prevention Is the Job of Every Coach I cautioned Katherine about the incidence of ACL injuries in athletic girls whose knees tended to fold inwards when they jumped and landed as hers did. The 8th grade basketball and lacrosse phenom […]
Concussion Roulette: Unload That Gun
Finally! Some attention for women soccer players and concussions! Briana Scurry’s surgery and recovery are front page news in the Washington Post. The good news: Briana is experiencing relief from the concussion symptoms she has endured for several years. The bad news: We are still confused about what a concussion is. Post reporter Caitlin Dewey writes, […]
The Injury You Can’t See
An athlete who is sidelined with a sports injury has to battle through more than the physical repair and recovery. Downtime, where they aren’t allowed to participate or compete, is especially hard on an athlete who is used to being active and contributing, perhaps as a leader, to a team. Making them sit and watch […]
Can Sports Injuries Have a Silver Lining?
Does it seem like everyone is getting injured? Even the pro’s. Ronaldinho – muscle tear, out 3 months. Jores Okore – ACL tear, out 9 months. Even Messi, the great Messi, is battling a right leg injury which has taken him out of play. When the professionals get hurt, the question is always, “How soon can […]
When Health and Recreation Programs Become Human Performance Laboratories, Who Pays?
Last week I saw a friend I hadn’t seen in some time. She has three kids: one graduating college, one beginning his second year at university and one nearly finished with high school. “So, what about you?” I asked, “What are you doing with yourself?” “Oh, the kids are still keeping me busy. I really […]
Are Sports Too Much for Your Kid? Dismantling the Dagwood Sandwich, An Equation for Healthy Youth Sport
Everybody’s talking about injuries. Coaches, doctors, league administrators, and parents are worried about the increase in injuries from SO much soccer! Kids are stuffed with teams and tryouts, tournaments and competitions. What used to be a tasty part of a balanced diet, now sits on their plate like a dagwood sandwich, daring them to eat […]
5 Things to Look for if You’re New on the Soccer Team
Just joined a new team or are considering one? How do you know whether it is a good fit? Here are 5 things to consider: other players, other parents, the coach, the team feel, your own kid. Other players … watch these at tryouts and practice: Does your kid fit in? Can she keep up with […]
Pain AND Gain: On the Edge of Injury AND Glory
I got to spend my mornings last week with the First Ladies of soccer, the Washington Spirit. I have never seen that kind of soccer quite so up close and personal. These women are phenomenal. Just standing by, I can hardly believe the power and accuracy and quickness of their ball drills and their small-sided […]
The Key to Successful ACL Injury Prevention
Looking at the numbers of ACL tears and “revisions” – that’s a nice way to say re-tears – it is very clear this an injury we want to prevent. At all costs. The question is, can we? Sportsmetrics (Hewett in Ohio) and the PEP program (Santa Monica, CA) say YES. These groups have done solid […]
Prepare Their Ankles! Youth Soccer is More NASCAR, Less Drivers Ed
Getting over a sprained ankle? Got an ankle that always give you trouble? What do you do? Doctors are good for diagnoses. Surgeons are good for…surgery. Physical therapists are good for… therapy. All good. But you’re not done yet. To get back on the field again, you need to be performance-fit. Kids know performance. They […]