{"id":17959,"date":"2024-03-22T10:39:59","date_gmt":"2024-03-22T14:39:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lpsathletic.com\/?p=17959"},"modified":"2024-03-24T11:30:50","modified_gmt":"2024-03-24T15:30:50","slug":"kids-stronger-to-prevent-injuries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lpsathletic.com\/kids-stronger-to-prevent-injuries\/","title":{"rendered":"Get Your Kids Stronger to Prevent Injuries"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Leading Cause of the Epidemic in Youth Sports Injuries Are Weaker Kids<\/h2>\n

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) research<\/a> shows that injuries increased 20% in 2021 and now have increased another 12% in 2022.<\/p>\n

University of Minnesota Medical School study<\/a> shows ACL tears in patients ages 6-18 have increased about 2.3 percent each year for the past 20 years, marking a significant upward trend. That means the number of cases (per 100,000) over 20 years, is a 58.3% increase — with girls being a higher case (no coincidence here.)<\/p>\n

And almost in all cases, these injuries happen<\/a> while playing the sport.<\/p>\n

How Injuries Happen<\/h2>\n

I love Dr. Mahmoud Zaerian\u2019s<\/a> simple formula; Load > Capacity = Injury<\/p>\n

When the load (force) exceeds the capacity (strength & mobility) to handle the load in a specific range of motion (mobility and flexibility), it will cause an injury.<\/p>\n

The rise in injuries<\/a> (injury epidemic<\/strong>) directly correlates to the decline in strength, mobility, and neuromuscular connections in children. A review of multiple studies published in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) database concluded that there is an overall trend of decline in various aspects of physical fitness in school-aged children.<\/p>\n

\"Young<\/p>\n

One study, published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, looked at 10-year-olds in Essex, UK, over 16 years. The research found that children in 2014 had about 20% less muscle strength and 30% less endurance compared to those tested in 1998.<\/p>\n

Youth athletes today might be spending less time engaged in active play compared to previous generations. Increased screen time, structured activities, and a focus on academics can leave less room for unstructured physical activity.\u00a0 Even when we do have physical activity, safer play areas with softer surfaces and less opportunity for climbing and risk-taking limit the development of strength and motor skills.<\/p>\n

Why Strength Matters for Young Athletes<\/h2>\n

Proper strength training paired with mobility develops stronger bones and muscles, improves balance and coordination, enhances athletic performance like jumping, throwing, etc., reduces the risks of injuries, and more importantly boosts confidence and self-esteem.<\/p>\n

When I was 10 years old in the library reading Sports Illustrated magazines, I came across the top running back in the country, Herschell Walker. His neck was bigger than my legs and played on the Georgia Bulldogs football team. In the article, his secret to his overwhelming strength and confidence was push-ups. 1,000- 2,000 push-ups a day from public school to University.<\/p>\n

I was blown away.\u00a0 I love Football and wanted to play in the NFL. So I started to copy success. Started with a few push-ups a day, and progressed to 200 a day at the age of 10, until I was able to match Herschell at 2,000 a day.\u00a0 Some in the morning, some during recess, some at lunch, some more at recess, on the way home, at home, and before bed.<\/p>\n

Little did I realize, I was doing German Volume Training<\/a>. By the time I was 19 at 180 lbs, I was benching 425 lbs. This training was the foundation for me breaking many track & field, and Football records.<\/p>\n

\"P.K.<\/p>\n

Young P.K. Subban<\/a> (NHL All-Star, Norris Trophy Winner) talks about being explosive and strong like Pavel Bure and Jarom\u00edr J\u00e1gr. Jagr’s father told him if he wanted to be a better hockey player and separate himself, do 1,000 squats a day. When P.K. first came to the gym, he was weak by our standards but stronger than most (and much stronger than the kids we see today).<\/p>\n

The key to getting physically more of everything is strength: Strength is the mother of all qualities.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Need more speed? Get strong. Need more power? Get strong. More explosiveness? Get strong.<\/p>\n

The right type of strength training allowed P.K. to handle the stresses, forces, and long grind of a season which ultimately led him to break all the rookie fitness testing records, and later secure a $72 million contract, a Norris Trophy, and a gold medal in the Olympics.<\/p>\n

\u201cWeak things break. Train like glass, break like glass.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n