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US News & World Report: Pandemic Had Many Young Athletes Reconsidering Their Sport

US News & World Report: Pandemic Had Many Young Athletes Reconsidering Their Sport

by | Aug 31, 2021 | General News, Press Coverage

At Scottish Rite for Children, ongoing research helps our medical staff provide the best and most innovative patient care. Throughout the pandemic, the Sports Medicine team conducted research to determine how COVID-19 has affected physical activity and play routines in young athletes.

“Evaluating the ways in which young athletes have been uniquely affected by the drastic alteration of daily sport routines may increase understanding of the significant impact of sport participation on physical and mental well-being,” says Henry B. Ellis, M.D., principal investigator of the study. “The effects of mandated rest on the current athlete culture and the importance of providing data to guide treatment efforts for mental health dysfunction may become more prevalent in the months following the implementation of social distancing mandates.” 
 
Pediatric orthopedic surgeon and associate director of clinical research, Henry B. Ellis, M.D., spoke with HealthDay, discussing how young athletes handled COVID-19.
 
Read the full article.

Nutrition Tips for Young Athletes in Stop-and-Go Sports

Nutrition Tips for Young Athletes in Stop-and-Go Sports

by | Jul 9, 2021 | Sports Medicine

A stop-and-go sport, also known as a high-intensity interval exercise, includes baseball, softball, football, volleyball, basketball, ice hockey, soccer and tennis. These sports require coordination, agility and concentration. Quick reactions in these sports demand bursts of energy, speed and power.

Alternating periods of intense power and speed, with short or long periods of rest, involve all of the major energy systems in the body. Therefore, meals and snacks throughout the day for these athletes should include appropriate mix of all foods and nutrients.

“It’s easy for busy young athletes to not make food a priority, showing up for practices and games under fueled and thinking they can power through”, says certified sports dietitian Taylor Morrison, M.S., R.D., CSSD, L.D. “However, the reality is that food and nutrition are very important components to optimal performance and injury prevention. The good news is that this food and nutrition doesn’t have to be complicated. An athlete can incorporate simple meals, snacks and fluids throughout the day using some general guidelines thereby reducing concerns and optimizing health and performance”.

CONCERNS FOR THE YOUNG ATHLETE IN STOP-AND-GO SPORTS
Burning Out Early 
Because of the intensity of some stop-and-go sports (like basketball, soccer, tennis and hockey) and because of the length of some games (like baseball or football) and tournaments (like basketball, soccer, tennis and volleyball), young athletes can use up their energy stores before the event is over. This especially becomes a problem if the athlete has not eaten a proper meal or snack earlier in the day or prior to the event and does not bring appropriate snacks for during the event.

End of the Season Injury
If this pattern of burnout continues, the constant fatigue during events can put the athlete at increased risk of injury due to decreased motor skills and performance. Poor nutrition or under-fueling can also lead to a lack of important nutrients like protein, fat, iron, calcium and vitamin D, which can also increase an athlete’s risk of injuries like stress fractures.

Dehydration
Dehydration is another contributor to fatigue, but also a cause of headaches and muscle cramps in the young athlete. Either of these can lead to decreased performance and injury. Of special concern are those young athletes playing in the heat or with extra gear like football, softball and hockey. Dehydration in these young athletes can lead to heat illness if it is not properly recognized and addressed.

NUTRITION SOLUTIONS FOR THE YOUNG ATHLETE IN STOP-AND-GO SPORTS
Proper Fueling Before and During Events
Eat a balanced meal at least three to four hours prior to the event and a small snack just before. Make sure to offer easy-to-digest carbohydrates to keep energy levels up until the very end of games and tournaments. More popular suggestions are fruit slices, dried fruit, crackers, pretzels, fig bars or sports drinks.

Balanced Meals Throughout the Day
Remember that the exact amount of food and nutrients needed vary depending on gender, height, weight, stage of development, sweat rate, sport played and position played. However, overall a young athlete’s plate should consist of:

  • Variety of Carbohydrates – Mix it up with sources like milk and yogurt, whole grains, fruits and starchy vegetables. Carbohydrates provide short and long-term energy to fuel for a practice, game or tournament.
  • Lean protein – Protein is important to repair any torn muscles and build tissue.
  • Healthy fats – Fat is important for the growing brain and has potential anti-inflammatory benefits.
    • Healthy fats, such as mono- and polyunsaturated fats, are important for brain development and function, aid in the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K and may have anti-inflammatory benefits. Learn more about healthy fats for the young athlete.

Getting carbohydrates, protein and fat from a variety of sources ensures that the athlete is also getting proper amounts of other nutrients like calcium, vitamin D and iron, among many others. Eating enough calories from carbohydrates, protein, fats and these nutrients helps promote optimal recovery and prevents injuries.

Hydrate
Drink fluid consistently throughout the day. Most of the time, an athlete should choose water and milk. Make sure to bring plenty of water to events adding a sports drink (for electrolytes and carbohydrates), if needed and encourage sips during timeouts, breaks and halftime. For heavy sweaters, salt can be added to drinks or salty snacks can be incorporated into breaks and halftimes.

Visit our sports hydration page to learn more about nutrition and fueling the young athlete.

The Work Takes Time, But It Makes You Great

The Work Takes Time, But It Makes You Great

by | Jun 22, 2021 | Sports Medicine

18-year-old Caden has always loved baseball. He has been playing since he was 4 years old, and he’s received numerous awards through the years. When he was just 12, he was awarded Perfect Game’s Super25 MVP pitcher. As a teenager, he was included in Perfect Game’s All-Tournament Selection, Pre-Season All-American and All-Region teams. Caden plays second base mainly, but he has seen time at shortstop and center field. He is also a phenomenal, right-handed pitcher.
 
In 2018, Caden began to have pain in his right elbow, so he visited pediatric orthopedic surgeon Philip L. Wilson, M.D., at the Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center in Frisco. “I knew they had an excellent orthopedic program, and I was aware that Dr. Wilson had worked with many high-level athletes,” says Alan, Caden’s dad. “He is very well respected in elbows and shoulders.”
 
Wilson explained that Caden’s elbow pain and inflammation was caused by repeated stretching of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), a tight band of tissue on the middle side of the elbow, from throwing. There are two important components to treatment. First, the ligament needs time to heal, so rest from throwing and pitching is crucial. Then, properly timed rehabilitation focused on strength and flexibility of the shoulder and trunk helps the young athlete return to their pre-injury status. After his prescribed rest, he slowly returned to throwing with a strategic 8-week interval throwing program which gradually increases the quantity and distance of throws. The program also encouraged Caden to focus on proper form with every throw to reduce the risk of reinjury. “I was extremely pleased with Dr. Wilson’s entire staff,” says Caden.

Caden utilized additional resources in his recovery to further improve his flexibility and strength and to further reduce his risk of reinjury. Near his home in Rockwall, Caden completed formal physical therapy and a strength and conditioning program with practitioners knowledgeable in the shoulder and pitching programs. These programs helped build Caden’s strength, not only in his arm but in his core and back as well. “It’s not just one muscle – it’s a combination,” says Alan. “It’s getting everything working and firing together so he can handle the stress of pitching.” Physical therapy was humbling at first for Caden. “I saw charts with the average strength levels of collegiate and professional athletes compared to my strength level in high school and saw how long I had to go,” he says.

After six months of physical therapy, Caden was on the field with his teammates at Rockwall-Heath High School performing at the highest level. He was named 1st Team All-District for infield this season, and on June 12, he and his teammates won the UIL 6A High School State Championship. Caden was also named MVP of the game. Caden graduated high school this year and has received a scholarship to play baseball at Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa, OK.
 
Alan advises both young athletes and parents to pay attention to any inflammation and soreness that the child is feeling. “Always err on the side of caution and rest when you are dealing with pain,” he says. “If it’s not better after about a week, I recommend scheduling a consultation with Scottish Rite.” Wilson advises any athlete with activity-related pain to have an assessment by an athletic trainer or sports medicine specialist.
 
“Caden is a prime example of an athlete properly responding to pain. He rested, he rehabbed and he’s back at a very high level. If he had continued to throw, he might have ended up tearing the UCL and requiring a longer period out of baseball and possibly surgery. So many are concerned about missing a season, but he’s right – taking recovery seriously pays off in the end.“ – Philip L. Wilson, M.D.
 
Caden hopes his story can help other young athletes understand the recovery process so they won’t get frustrated when it seems like it is taking too long. “The steady work grind takes time, but it’s what makes you great too,” he says. “I think with shoulder care, it’s important to understand that stretching is not just a warm-up but truly a part of your overall pitching program.”