The summer months leading up to the fall youth sports season provide a great opportunity for young athletes to prepare and ensure safe sports participation. Physical therapy, often recommended by your family doctor, can play an important role in preventing sports injuries. From identifying movement deficiencies to improving strength and mobility, a physical therapist can help prevent pediatric sports injuries and keep young athletes playing the sports they love.
Paul Schroeder, PT, MPT, is a spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). As a physical therapist and expert in sports and orthopedics in Chicago, IL. he works with family doctors, pediatricians and coaches to help young athletes stay fit and safe during their sports season. Schroeder answered some of the most common questions about injury prevention in youth sports during the fall sports season.
What role do physical therapists play in preventing youth sports injuries during the fall season?
Physical therapists play a key role in preventing sports injuries in children. Physical therapy can help young athletes build strength, endurance, and physical conditioning, which can reduce the risk of certain injuries. Physical therapists can help you improve function and support a safe return to play after injury.
How do family doctors and physical therapists work together as part of the health care team for young athletes?
In collaboration with the family physician, physical therapists monitor progress and determine when it is safe for the young athlete or teen to return to sports. They also help prevent future sports injuries in children and support long-term health. Physical therapists and family physicians can also tailor treatment plans to the needs, challenges, and goals of each athlete.
Young athletes must be physically prepared before fall sports officially begin, and what does “being ready” look like?
Training should begin during the summer, at least four to six weeks before fall sports officially begin. This time allows young athletes to slowly build muscle strength and endurance, which reduces the risk of future injury. “Ready” means that an athlete can safely participate in their sport at the start of the fall season without falling behind or participating in a demanding practice, game or competition. Staying hydrated during the summer months is important to prevent heat-related illnesses, maintain optimal body temperature, and optimize mental and physical performance.
What are some of the main benefits of having your child or teen see a physical therapist before participating in fall sports?
Working with a physical therapist can provide a great foundation for young athletes to build strength, endurance, technique, and confidence for the fall athletic season. Safety is a top priority and there are many factors to consider when playing competitively. A physical therapist will discuss past injuries, growth spurts, sleep habits, nutrition, and hydration to help develop a personalized program. Additionally, a physical therapist can identify movement deficits, muscle weakness, and imbalances to help the athlete maintain proper mechanics and avoid preventable sports injuries.
What should families expect during a physical exam or pre-participation assessment?
The pre-participation physical assessment is designed to make sure your child is ready and safe to play. This is important for safety, injury prevention, and compliance with school-related obligations. You can expect a review of your medical history, a general physical examination, and then a functional assessment. For sports that involve a high risk of concussion (football, soccer, gymnastics, etc.), getting a baseline test helps establish a benchmark to better guide and alert management if a concussion event occurs.
What questions should families ask during preseason physical or mobility evaluations?
It is important to consider questions related to the young athlete’s health history, past sports injuries, and risk factors. Families should look for guidance on training and recovery schedules, as well as resources to support the young athlete’s mental health. Mental fitness assessment by a family physician is important in youth sports because it directly affects physical safety, motivation, and overall mental health. Your family doctor or physical therapist will help determine next steps or the need for mid-season follow-up.
When young athletes jump too quickly into fall sports, what mistakes or training patterns increase youth sports injuries?
When young athletes go from small preseason workouts to daily workouts, it can increase the risk of childhood sports injuries. Teens often balance a busy school schedule with a variety of sports and may not have much time to avoid injury. It is important that parents and guardians regularly communicate with their young athletes to ensure that they are not playing due to pain, fatigue, illness or other conditions. A key component of pre-season training is the gradual building of strength and endurance to meet the physical demands of competition.
What are the most effective strategies physical therapists recommend for reducing concussion risk in young athletes?
Physical therapists focus on reducing the risk of concussion by helping young athletes build a safe foundation for participating in their sport. This includes strength training, impact control, balance work, situational awareness, technique training and guidance on properly fitted gear and equipment. Physical therapists can also advise athletes on the changes they need to make during exercise to reduce the risk of concussions. Additionally, they can help families recognize the signs and symptoms of a concussion and take appropriate steps if a head injury occurs. A physical therapist will discuss key strategies to reduce concussion risk, including:
- Provision of appropriate sports protective equipment
- Learning sport-specific techniques and skill safety
- Limiting full contact practice time
- Focus on neck and shoulder strengthening exercises
It should be noted that the diagnosis of concussion is a clinical diagnosis and can only be made by a medical professional. Physical therapists can work with the athlete’s health care team to evaluate and treat a variety of post-concussion issues.
Physical therapists take a team approach to rehabilitation and work with family physicians to determine appropriate adjunctive therapy as needed. Together, they can assess, treat and manage a variety of post-stroke issues, including neck pain, dizziness, balance problems, headaches, exercise intolerance, sleep hygiene, vision problems, bilateral and cognitive problems. They can also provide Return to Learning counseling, which helps the student gradually resume cognitively demanding activities—such as schoolwork, reading, screen time, and other mental tasks—while avoiding a flare-up of symptoms.
This resource was developed in collaboration with the American Physical Therapy Association.
