Keeping Our Head In The Game – Part 2

In Part 1 of Keeping Our Head in the Game, we explored what exactly are concussions,  sign & symptoms, and how to make a difference on the concussion front today.   To finish off Brain Awareness Week, we’ll discuss what kids are more prone to concussion and why.  In Part 3 to be posted March 28 to close out Brain Injury Awareness month, we’ll discuss prevention measures and treatment of concussion.

One of the most susceptible groups of kids to possibly experience a concussion is a child that has already had one, especially one that has gone undiagnosed and is still in the healing phases.  Second Impact Syndrome results from acute brain swelling occurring when a second concussion is sustained before damage from an initial concussion is completely healed.  After a concussion, one typically displays decreased balance, decreased visual perception, and increased reaction time which may lead to more falls, loss of balance, or non-reaction to a hit resulting in another blow to the head.  Therefore, it is extremely important to recognize a possible concussion, and sit the child immediately to prevent further, even fatal, damage.  The risk of subsequent concussion is 3-6 times higher in a football player who has sustained a concussion recent or past, and 4-6 times higher for soccer players, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.  Other sports with high SIS risks are boxing, hockey, basketball, and snow skiing/boarding.  When in doubt, sit them out.

Another group of kids that are more susceptible to concussion are those with Attention Deficit Disorder (click to read related article), not only because this group sometimes display balance and coordination deficits, but they are also the risk takers seeking excitement, action, and physical contact.   This isn’t a bad thing, as these are the kids that may grow up to be soldiers fearlessly saving others lives!  Travis Pastrana, motocross rider, is a great example of a risk taker from a young age.  He is one of just a few people to recover from a dislocated spinal column as a teenager, he’s suffered over 25 concussions, yet he continues to be a thrill seeker.  His orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Tom Davis, stated in a book written about Pastrana 199 Lives,  “he [Travis] has no fear which gives him the ability to keep pushing the envelope and I think he has congenital insensitivity to pain”.  This “congenital insensitivity to pain” seems to be true for some children, often those with an ADD diagnosis, which make it more difficult to identify them for some injuries, including concussion.

Besides the prevalence of ADD diagnosis in our kids today, children have brains which are not fully developed until adulthood.  Even in adulthood, our brains change and can be rewired for the positive or negative, which makes the brain such an amazing organ!  However, since kids do not have the coating and insulation around nerves and connections like adults, their brains are more easily damaged, and may take longer to heal after a brain injury.  80% of kids recover in 7-10 days while the other 20% take longer.  Regardless of the healing time immediately following concussion, the effects of repeated damage is now being discovered many years later, not just in NFL players but in the general population too.  The cause is not always sport related concussions.  Motor vehicle accidents and physical abuse were also a large cause.  I personally explored, and learned treatment of, cases such as this when I visited the Amen Clinic (click to learn more) this week in Atlanta, GA.   Protecting the brain for the present and future is so important, regardless of the sport or everyday play.

Education is the most important thing we can do immediately to reduce traumatic brain injury in children, not just in sports but in everyday life.  This is the ultimate goal of our blogs this month.  Talking about brain injuries in children is scary, but the more you learn, the more you are aware of what to do and know how to handle situations when they arise.   If you or anyone you know would like more information on anything you’ve read in this blog including our personal experience at the Amen Clinic this week, visit www.mycoreimpact.com and fill out the contact info.  You can also visit our Facebook page, and message us directly.   Together we can give our kids a better life now, and a better brain healthy future.

Keeping Our Head In The Game – Concussions Part 1

Concussion is a term we hear almost daily now, and it’s a term we all need to learn more about, even the experts who study concussions daily.  Research is constantly evolving to deepen our understanding of this common injury.  In part 1 of Core Impact’s 3 part concussion series, we’re discussing the basics including signs & symptoms, and what we can do today to improve concussion awareness.

1. What is a concussion?

• a traumatic brain injury
• caused by forceful fall, blow to the head, or hit to the body
• force causes the brain to move suddenly inside the skull (click for Center for Disease Control video)
• results in damage to the brain cells and/or chemical make-up in the brain

2. What are the symptoms?  (These may develop and/or last over hours, days, even months in some cases. Each case varies)

  Symptoms parents, coaches, and medical staff need to look for:

• dazed/confused appearance/behavior
• poor recall of basic information
• decreased balance/increased clumsiness
• sudden mood change
• forgetting instructions (such as in a sport event setting)
• loss of consciousness (even briefly or not at all)

  Symptoms kids may report: (These are general. Even one symptom can     signal concussion.  Absence of these symptoms do not indicate absence of concussion!)

• headache
• nausea/vomiting
• blurred vision
• bothered by noise/light
• balance issues
• concentration issues

3. Where do concussions most commonly occur? (most common but not limited to listed below)

• sporting events (football, soccer, lacrosse, cheerleading, gymnastics, basketball, baseball, hockey, extreme sports, etc)
• motor vehicle accidents
• ATV accidents
• everyday play (bicycle crash, pick-up basketball, skateboarding, etc)
• we focus on concussion in sports, but they can happen anywhere

4.  Are some kids more prone? (Research is currently expanding our understanding of this)

• Second Impact Syndrome – more likely to experience another concussion if symptoms have not resolved from previous concussion (this can lead to permanent brain damage and possibly be fatal due to intracranial pressure)
• studies show children with balance issues or decreased pain response may be more susceptible (click here to read more, Part 2 of our concussion blog to be posted March 21, 2015 will explore this in depth)

5.  What can we do NOW?

• educate yourself and others to recognize signs and symptoms
• information on concussion may be intimidating or scary, but not knowing is much worse
• talk to your youth athletes and kids about reporting symptoms
• realize with today’s knowledge we can identify and help heal concussion more effectively if we are educated
• change the concussion culture to improve the future for us and our youth

More research and education can only help us with concussion diagnosis and treatment in the coming years.  But in the meantime, we hope this blog, as well as Part 2 & 3 to be released in the coming weeks, will help to educate and answer many questions parents and coaches have about concussion.   If you have more questions or would like help with concussion education, please visit our website www.mycoreimpact.com, attend the upcoming Moms Football Safety Clinic in Evans, GA, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on concussion.   Join Core Impact Youth Fitness & Sports Performance in making a positive shift towards concussion education and awareness in 2015.

Protecting the Pitch

Baseball season has arrived, and with the start of practice and games comes an influx of young throwers through the doors of physical therapy clinics across the country.  Mostly what we see early in the season are issues with muscular imbalance or muscular strains from going too hard too soon after coming off the suggested break without participating in a offseason conditioning program.  In a few weeks, I’ll also expect to see some pitchers and catchers coming in with overuse issues such as tendonitis or Little Leaguer’s shoulder from not taking a break and/or playing for multiple teams.  In other words, they’ve been pitching/catching too much.

In 2007, Dr. James Andrews partnered with Little League to implement pitch counts and days-off for pitchers which still stands today.   Click here to see pitch counts/days off guidelines.  Many of you are aware of the pitch counts/days off rule, but are you aware these guidelines were created by Dr. Andrews and his team to apply to each child wherever he plays throughout the year, not just for Little League?  For example, a 13 year old pitcher throws 48 pitches Friday night for his school team.  He requires 2 days rest according to the American Sports Medicine Institute guidelines, meaning no pitching for any league, school, or travel team for 2 days to ensure rest and recovery of the muscles and tendons involved with pitching.

The ultimate goal for Dr. Andrews was for these pitch counts to be initiated in Little League, and then for other leagues/schools to adopt the policy.   Logistically, neither Dr. Andrews nor his staff could visit every school district, travel association, and league in the country to implement these pitch count policies.   He explained at one of the many conferences I’ve attended that Little League was the largest organization to implement the policy, and have the most positive affect on the most kids.

What actually happened over years is coaches and parents have pitchers in Little League, travel, and rec team at the same time.  They keep pitch count according to what organization they’re playing for that day, not according to what the child did with “X” organization Friday and carrying it over to “Y” organization Saturday.  However, this leads back to the ASMI recommendation of playing for one team at a time.  Also consider, these pitch counts are maximum count guidelines.  Each child is built differently, so one pitcher may fulfill 85 effective pitches with minimal fatigue while another is gassed and becomes ineffective at 40 pitches.  Get to know your bullpen, and get to know your own child’s pitch max.  Catchers also require careful consideration for overuse, even though there are not “pitch counts” in place for that position specifically. Following these guidelines decreases the pitcher’s risk of injury significantly.

One new development, the Motus baseball sleeve may help to “red flag” arm fatigue in pitchers, which may in turn also decrease injury.  I believe the Motus sleeve may be a great asset as long as it’s used properly.  The Motus sleeve is not meant to replace pitch count or cheat rest days, but may benefit youth coaches who have those pitchers with high pain tolerance, will not admit they’re in pain, push through fatigue, and then develop injury.    To hear more on the sleeve, click to listen to Dr. David Geier Episode 177 (minute 13:30) podcast.  Used correctly, the sleeve may be another tool coaches can use to protect their players at all levels.

At Core Impact Youth Fitness & Sports Performance, we are dedicated to educating players, parents , and coaches across the country.   Our program is built on the foundations Dr. James Andrews and his research teams provide for youth sports, injury treatment, and prevention.   In Dr. Andrews’ book Any Given Monday, he ends the baseball chapter calling medical professionals involved in sports to educate and lead the way to positive change in youth athletes.   It is our obligation, and we can each make a difference for the kids.

Looking at the big picture, pitch counts and rest days were not intended to be an isolated rule for Little League.  Pitch counts and rest days were meant to protect each player, regardless of organizations he/she is playing for that season.  Getting the knowledge out about pitch counts and protecting the pitcher takes time and willingness to accept change.   Youth sports can be a bumpy road to run, but reaching out for support can make the ride so much more fun and enjoyable for everyone.  If you would like to learn more, or would like Core Impact to help your team with injury prevention education, please visit our website www.mycoreimpact.com.   Youth athletes deserve our best each and every game because we expect the best from them.  Do your part to make the best happen.

Specialize Your Child’s Success – The Core Tour

Founded on the principles of long-term athletic development, whole child fitness, and function movement training, Core Impact Youth Fitness & Sports Performance provides small group and team strengthening, conditioning, and injury prevention education through in-person, online, and virtual sessions.  Every child is considered an athlete, whether enrolled in a structured sports team, or simply looking to get some exercise outside of home!

Each athlete is screened at the initial session using the youth athletic assessment for individual participation, while sport specific assessments are used for team participation.   These screens provide a documented and more detailed picture of physical strengths and muscular imbalances which decrease overall sports performance, subject the child to a higher injury risk, cause general pain or discomfort, and even sometimes hinder their ability to play normal children’s games with friends and family.   Statistics show decreased physical education classes in schools, as well as increased sedentary activities, have caused overall wellness decline in our children today.  Statistics show preventable sports injuries continue to climb.  Core Impact is working to reverse those statistics.

Properly developing youth for fitness and sports requires a combination of strengthening, conditioning, corrective exercises, movement activities, and agility training.  While Core Impact addresses sport specific movements and skills for teams, small groups are developed for a child to be competitive in any sport or activity.    The more effectively a child can move their bodies, the more competitive they will be on ANY playing field.

Families are unbelievable busy in today’s world, so Core Impact provides several options for kids to workout at home in addition to their live sessions.  Mobicoach (virtual real time 1 on 1 sessions) and Trainerize  (coach designed, athlete specific workouts with video instruction) enables the athlete to work their program on THEIR time – not solely on Core Impact time!  Flexibility is key to success and happiness for so many kids and their families, and we’re proud to provide these options.

Providing sports injury education and prevention information is also a key component to Core Impact.   Years of research and rehab experience enables Core Impact to provide answers and suggestions to your sports injury questions and concerns.  We do not preach which sport is safest – we help you learn safety for your chosen sports!   Core Impact provides strengthening, conditioning, and sports injury prevention for any sport including but not limited to baseball, softball, lacrosse, volleyball, soccer, football, cheerleading, jujitsu, even motocross!  Learning about typical injuries, ways to prevent them, and proper safety equipment is just another key to success!

From individuals to teams,  Core Impact delivers the fitness, education, and tools to build healthy foundations that will carry into adulthood.  Whether your child is a non-stop baller or bookworm wanting to unleash some energy, Core Impact Youth Fitness & Sports Performance designs programs to help them achieve their goals!   Want to learn about creating your child or team’s Core Impact?  Visit our website http://www.mycoreimpact.com to fill out the contact form, and visit it our Facebook page to stay informed of all things youth fitness and sports!   Strong core, ultimate impact.

Coaching the Package Deal in Youth Sports

With Valentine’s Day and thoughts of love, the love between kids, coaches, and the game seemed like a good transition piece from my last post, Playing Our Position.  Regardless of their age, kids look to their coaches hoping to learn the game, but often they are looking for more.  Kids want the package deal.  From all the kids I work with in Core Impact Sports Performance, instruction, guidance, and mutual respect are so key with youth athletes, according to the countless ones I’ve asked over the years.  If the player stays with a coach long enough, a family-type love can definitely develop which makes the youth sports experience special.

Instruction is pretty much a given…teach kids the rules, teach them techniques, and teach them the plays.   Guidance is needed to teach them sportsmanship, leadership, and winning and losing.  Take them by the shoulders and gently navigate them through this maze called youth sports.  Mutual respect, however, is a lot more complicated.

Mutual respect is built over time, but if the foundation isn’t immediately laid, the other aspects fall apart or never develop at all.  Janis Meredith, wife and mother of a coach, mom, and leader of the upcoming Feb 18 webinar Navigating Politics in Youth Sports (click here to learn more) posed a question yesterday about abuse by coaches in youth sports.   Is abuse real or are we being overprotective of kids?  It depends on the situation, but both scenarios absolutely exist, and this is where mutual respect comes in to the equation.

With abusive coaches, I’ve watched players flinch in fear when their coach screams, their face falls as the coach relentlessly yells over a mistake.  I’ve watched a son/player cower in the corner as his dad/coach vents his fury for a missed play.  On the flip side, I’ve seen parents berate a coach for simply correcting a young player for unsportsmanlike behavior, remove the kid from the team because they feel competition should not be promoted, or the parents refuse to expose their kids to real world situations that sometimes play out on the field.  I’ve heard youth athletes say,”Coach yells, but it’s just because he’s loud.”  Others about another coach will say, ” We get so sick of him yelling. No matter what we do it’s never right.  We think he hates us.”  Two different coaches displaying two different levels of mutual respect for their players.  The players know the difference, and they take it to heart.

No coach can make everyone happy, but there is a balancing act to perform with the 3 characteristics stated above.  Balancing everything just right, a coach may develop a stronger bond with the child than the parents.  The parents usually say,”They listen to someone else because you aren’t the parent.”  In reality, it’s because the coach reacts to the child much differently than the parent.   Take the statement,”The kids who need the most love will ask for it in the most unloving ways”.  Just because a youth athlete is not listening, doesn’t mean they need louder criticism or punishment.  They may need just the opposite.  Try showing that athlete compassion, and mutual respect will begin to develop.  Only then will instruction and guidance become beneficial to the youth athlete and the team.

Being a youth sports coach can open up so many opportunities for you to love kids, parents, and their families.  It’s a balancing act all the way trying to fill all the requirements and expectations, but always remember you have a huge obligation to the kids.  Instruction is knowledge.  Guidance is instinct.  Respect is earned.  Win or lose, those kids will follow you anywhere if you fill their expectations and their heart.

The Silver Lining of Politics in Youth Sports

With spring sports tryouts underway, there is one black cloud that sometimes overshadows the excitement of kids taking the fields and being active in the sports they love. Whether you have experienced it already, or are wondering how it may affect your family one day, politics in youth sports can break even the most stalwart of parents, and bring them to their knees.  No one likes to see their child slighted due to reasons beyond their control.

Sometimes, the politics work out in your child’s favor, and sometimes they do not.  If they do, it typically means another child was affected in a negative way, while others enjoy the benefit.  Then, tables turn and the politics turn against your child.  That’s typically when things get rough, and you struggle to find reasons, explanations, and hope.  You have to explain to your young athlete why life is tough sometimes, so it can be a learning experience regardless.

Personally, I have experienced both ends.  In my current area of residency, folks are starting to truly realize how strong I feel against overuse and abuse in youth sports.   The waters were calm for a time when we first moved to the area, until I took a stand against my own son practicing/playing for 3 teams simultaneously.  When I rocked the boat, boy did it sink.  Like the Titanic.  Telling the league and travel coaches 21 straight days of baseball play and practice was too much created some big waves.  His focus was to be on school ball, and that was it.  As youth athletes are growing, constant play and practice without rest takes a toll on their bodies.   I stand firm on this since I attempt to repair the overuse damage done to youth athletes in my pediatric physical therapy work, and I attempted to repair the residual damage when I worked with adults.  To view tips from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons about keeping your youth athlete healthy, click here.

My boat-rocking was the beginning of the end for league and travel with that particular group, but everything happens for a reason, right?  That was one of the most difficult experiences for myself and my son, since being alienated by that group had everything to do with who his mother is, and nothing to do with his ability as an athlete.  Looking back, that gut-wrenching experience was all for the best.  I stayed true to my ethics, my son learned how to handle very adult situations, and we have flourished tremendously.  “Rock the boat. Maybe it sinks. Maybe it needed to sink.” ~Michael Port.  I’ve told my boys,”Go out there, give it your absolute best, and convince coaches without a shadow of a doubt that you belong on the team.  Take any excuses off their table.”

Regardless of your child’s age or status, I can almost guarantee politics will weed their way into your youth athlete’s life at one time or another.  If not, you will know someone, and you can certainly help others who stumble.  To provide advice from sources who have come through the ranks, Core Impact Youth Fitness & Sports Performance has partnered with JBM Thinks for their Feb 18 webinar on Navigating the Politics of Youth Sports.  Janis Meredith, a mother and wife of a longtime coach will be joined by Coach Craig Haworth of WinningYouthCoaching.com to provide perspective, guidance, and hopefully draw a silver lining around the black cloud of youth sports politics.  To register or learn more about this webinar, click here.  The more we educate, communicate, and understand these politics, the more enjoyable youth sports will be for all of us!