Mark Hyman's Blog, page 19
July 30, 2009
Another viewpoint on kids and curveballs
Found this at Checkswing.net, which is hosting a lively forum on kids, curves and the Times article - written by a gentleman named Tom LaPrade:
"It amazes me that so many youth coaches who I've shared this article with refuse to acknowledge the validity of the studies. It's as though the notion that a curveball is more dangerous than a fastball is a religious crede of some sort, Not one of the youth coaches I've talked to is a scientist of the biomechanics of throwing, so what other reason could
"It amazes me that so many youth coaches who I've shared this article with refuse to acknowledge the validity of the studies. It's as though the notion that a curveball is more dangerous than a fastball is a religious crede of some sort, Not one of the youth coaches I've talked to is a scientist of the biomechanics of throwing, so what other reason could
July 28, 2009
"Now you tell us that curves don't destroy arms?"
Reaction to Sunday's curveball article in the Times.
Rob Neyer, ESPN.com
"Wait a minute ... Now you're telling us that curveballs don't destroy the tender arms of adolescent pitchers? I can't say I'm all that surprised."
St. Louis Post Dispatch
"The larger issue in childhood arm injuries may be overuse: Too many pitches thrown in too many games too close together. The study suggested that young pitchers be allowed to throw no more than 80 pitches in a game, and that seasons should be limited."
ESPN S
Rob Neyer, ESPN.com
"Wait a minute ... Now you're telling us that curveballs don't destroy the tender arms of adolescent pitchers? I can't say I'm all that surprised."
St. Louis Post Dispatch
"The larger issue in childhood arm injuries may be overuse: Too many pitches thrown in too many games too close together. The study suggested that young pitchers be allowed to throw no more than 80 pitches in a game, and that seasons should be limited."
ESPN S
July 27, 2009
More on youth league pitchers and curveballs
In yesterday's New York Times, I wrote about kids and curveballs. Physicians and coaches have been warning about the dangers to young arm from curveballs for decades. Are they too cautious?
Maybe, according to two recent studies that found no connection between curves and elbow injuries in kids.
The article includes reaction from orthopedic surgeons who don't see the research as the last word.
Here's an interview that didn't make the article. I spoke with Joseph Chandler, Director of Medical Servic
Maybe, according to two recent studies that found no connection between curves and elbow injuries in kids.
The article includes reaction from orthopedic surgeons who don't see the research as the last word.
Here's an interview that didn't make the article. I spoke with Joseph Chandler, Director of Medical Servic
July 24, 2009
July 21, 2009
Why to repair a young athlete's knee asap
This sobering advice from a University of Pennsylvania study:
Young kids who injure their knees so badly that ACL surgery is needed should strongly consider having their repairs asap. This despite the fact that such operations, when performed on youth athletes, can disrupt normal bone growth.
Kids whose operations were delayed more than 12 weeks faced multiple risks, including:
- about a four-fold increase in irreparable medial meniscus tears.
- an 11-fold increase in lateral compartment chondral in
Young kids who injure their knees so badly that ACL surgery is needed should strongly consider having their repairs asap. This despite the fact that such operations, when performed on youth athletes, can disrupt normal bone growth.
Kids whose operations were delayed more than 12 weeks faced multiple risks, including:
- about a four-fold increase in irreparable medial meniscus tears.
- an 11-fold increase in lateral compartment chondral in
July 17, 2009
A youth sports game and a sub sandwich
Today's youth sports challenge: Tote up the corporate logos. First reader to correctly count the "Subway" signs in this 75-second clip wins a free Meatball Marinara sub, medium drink and baked Lays.
(Note cameo appearances by Fred Lynn, Dave Winfield and Larry King).
(Note cameo appearances by Fred Lynn, Dave Winfield and Larry King).
This post originally published at http://www.youthsportsparents.blogspo...
July 15, 2009
One game every season, no coaches or parents
In the Albany Times-Union, staff writer Mark McGuire makes a bold proposal. From McGuire's June 26 column:
"Every season, for at least one game, every recreational sports league for kids, say, ages 8-16 should play one adult-free game.
"No parents watching. No coaches/managers; captains run the teams. You can have refs/umps, or not. An adult not affiliated with either team could be on hand to help organize, or not. Kids would figure it out. Believe it or not, they can go out and play without you.
"
"Every season, for at least one game, every recreational sports league for kids, say, ages 8-16 should play one adult-free game.
"No parents watching. No coaches/managers; captains run the teams. You can have refs/umps, or not. An adult not affiliated with either team could be on hand to help organize, or not. Kids would figure it out. Believe it or not, they can go out and play without you.
"
July 13, 2009
Gender equity in the game, but not yet on sidelines
Difficult to argue with the transformational power of Title IX on girls' participation in organized sports. As noted in Until It Hurts (page 45, if you're reading along): "The year Title IX took effect, 1972, boys playing high school sports outnumbered girls by twelve to one. Twenty years later, the edge had shrunk to fewer than three boys for every girl. The latest statistics from the National Federation of State High School Associations show girls comprising about 40 per cent of high school at
July 9, 2009
Little League Baseball = Free grape snowcone
This post originally published at http://www.youthsportsparents.blogspo...
July 8, 2009
About kids' sports injuries and hospital visits
New data gleaned from an analysis of children visiting hospitals. No surprise - sports injuries are keeping docs busy. Surprising (to me) - boys seek treatment in far greater numbers than girls. The disparity is huge - that's the surprise.
Some of the findings:
* Twenty-two percent of kids' hospital visits came on account of sports-related bruises, scrapes and broken bones
* Three times more boys than girls needed hospital treatment for sports injuries
* Teens were five times more likel
Some of the findings:
* Twenty-two percent of kids' hospital visits came on account of sports-related bruises, scrapes and broken bones
* Three times more boys than girls needed hospital treatment for sports injuries
* Teens were five times more likel
