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Overuse, Overtraining and Burnout: Here’s a Breakdown

Overuse, Overtraining and Burnout: Here’s a Breakdown

by | Jan 9, 2020 | Sports Medicine

Some may think these words can be used interchangeably, but our expert Shane M. Miller, M.D., who cares for young athletes on the sidelines and in the clinic, says otherwise.

What they do have in common is that they are red flags and each needs to be addressed with equal attention. Unfortunately, though one does not always cause the other, an athlete may experience more than one of these because they are related.

Here is a quick description of each:

  • Overuse (Injuries) occur when a body part gets worn out or injured because a motion is repeated over and over without adequate rest and recovery. This happens in many sports, but common examples include knee pain in sports that involve running and jumping, such as soccer or basketball, and shoulder and elbow injuries in sports that involve throwing or overhead activity such as volleyball or baseball. In young and growing athletes, the growth plates are particularly vulnerable to overuse injuries.
  • Overtraining occurs when a high volume or high intensity of training causes a decline in athletic performance. This may occur during regular training, pre-season intensive training, or during high volume competition such as tournaments or post-season playoffs.
  • Burnout occurs when an athlete experiences internal or external pressures that outweigh their motivation to participate. This causes athletes to no longer enjoy participating in their sport, reduces their commitment to training and, in some cases, causes them to quit a sport completely.

Miller warns coaches and parents to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of these problems in young athletes. Though the list is long, here are a few things to watch for:

  • A sudden or gradual worsening in performance or disinterest in participating in practice or competition.
  • Complaints of pain during or after activity.
  • An expression of a desire to quit.

“If we can stay ahead of these things, we are much more likely to keep children and adolescents involved in sports longer, allowing them to benefit physically, socially and mentally,” says Miller.

Learn more about pediatric sports medicine.

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children Opens Clinic at Baylor Scott & White Sports Therapy & Research at The Star

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children Opens Clinic at Baylor Scott & White Sports Therapy & Research at The Star

by | Dec 2, 2019 | General News, Press Coverage

(DALLAS – December 2, 2019) – Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children has opened a new clinic location at Baylor Scott & White Sports Therapy & Research at The Star, the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters, in Frisco. Beginning this fall, our expertise in pediatric sports medicine and orthopedics will complement Baylor Scott & White’s practice, creating a seamless care experience for athletes of all ages.
 
Frisco offers the ideal location to establish another patient access point, as approximately 25% of patient families reside in communities north of Dallas and tremendous growth is underway in the area. This facility is an extension of both the original Dallas campus and the recently opened Frisco campus. The sought-after location will offer clinic visits for children with orthopedic issues. 
 
SITE HIGHLIGHTS:    

  • Opening December 2019
  • 6,000 total square feet 
  • 9 exam rooms
  • 1 X-Ray room with space for future imaging or patient service growth 
  • Sports medicine surgeon, sports medicine pediatrician and advanced service providers will be available at the outpatient clinic.        
  • More than 2,100 projected clinical visits in year one expected   

LOCATION:    Scottish Rite for Children Sports Medicine at The Star
                        3800 Gaylord Parkway, Suite 850
                        Frisco, TX 75034 
                        (469) 857-2222 
 
ABOUT SCOTTISH RITE HOSPITAL:
Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children is one of the nation’s leading pediatric centers. The hospital treats a wide range of orthopedic conditions, including sports injuries and fractures, as well as certain arthritic, neurological and learning disorders, such as dyslexia. Patients receive treatment regardless of the family’s ability to pay. For more information about services available at our Dallas or Frisco campus, volunteering or donating, visit scottishritehospital.org.

Functional Testing: Why is it Important for Athletes Returning to Sports?

Functional Testing: Why is it Important for Athletes Returning to Sports?

by | Feb 6, 2019 | Sports Medicine


There are many factors to consider before releasing a young athlete back to sports after an injury. Our sports physical therapists and sports medicine physicians continually review and discuss the latest evidence on risk factors for injuries in young and growing athletes. Most of these studies evaluate the risk of injury after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and consistently state that as many as 1 in 4 will re-tear the same or have a new injury to the opposite ACL when returning to sports.

Our pediatric sports medicine clinical and research staff often discuss how we know when it is safe to allow an athlete to go back to sports. Here are a few examples of the questions that come up in these conversations:

  • How old is the patient?
  • Has the actual tissue had time to heal since the procedure?
  • Does the athlete plan to play a sport or position that puts them at greater risk?
  • Is the athlete mentally ready and confident to get back in the game?
  • Is it the beginning of the season or does the athlete have several months before competition season?
  • Has the athlete regained full strength and mobility since the injury?
  • Has the rest from the recovery caused the non-injured leg to become weak?
  • Can the athlete safely perform the necessary movements required in the sport(s)?

We continue to study these questions, and many others, to help us make the best decisions for our athletes. Since many of these questions are based on an athlete’s physical strength and ability to move, movement analysis is a critical component of this process. Our movement analysis testing, also known as the functional testing protocol, takes into consideration many aspects of movement to identify who is most at risk of being injured again. The results can be simplified into pass or fail. However, the tests identify specific areas for the athlete to improve before retesting.

Our goals are to get athletes back to sports, keep them in sports and prevent injuries in the future. With tools like these, we can make recommendations based on objective findings. We can also demonstrate to athletes and families, who may be at risk for re-injury, exercises to strengthen areas of weakness.

Learn more about our research in pediatric sports medicine.

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