05.12.2006 at 14:07
- Category:
Sport Medicine
Many parents dream of their children becoming the next Tiger Woods, LeBron James or Maria Sharapova. But, these young sports phenoms are just that, phenomenal, exceptional.
In Sports Success Rx! Your Child's Prescription for the Best Experience: How to Maximize Potential and Minimize Pressure (American Academy of Pediatrics, October 2006) author Paul R. Stricker, MD, FAAP, stresses that parents and coaches should embrace the idea of "reality sports success." Dr. Stricker, board certified in both pediatrics and sports medicine, outlines for parents and coaches the physiological and emotional milestones that determine sports skill development in youth.
Sports Success Rx! offers a friendly and jargon-free discussion of how children develop and what physical skills are achievable and appropriate for each age group. Dr. Stricker makes it clear that whether or not little Johnny can catch a softball has far more to do with the maturation of his eye-sight than talent, motivation or even hand-eye coordination. While promoting the benefits of regular exercise, Dr. Stricker warns of the emotional and physical dangers young athletes face from unrealistic performance pressure and overuse injuries.
Sports Success Rx! includes helpful "Success Rx" summaries at the end of each chapter, prescribing for parents and coaches the steps to help their child achieve reality sports success. Dr. Stricker also speaks directly to parents in "Between You and Me" sections. Here, he asks parents to think critically about their child's sports participation and define their own role in ensuring that their young athlete is having fun and staying safe.
Dr. Stricker addresses the challenges overweight children face when participating in sports, showing how parents can encourage their efforts while preventing them from doing too much too quickly. Sports Success Rx! also warns against the opposite extreme, outlining the risks of overuse injuries when young athletes train too hard.
Parents can order Sports Success Rx! Your Child's Prescription for the Best Experience by calling the toll-free AAP order line at 888-227-1770, or by visiting the
AAP online Bookstore.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
American Academy of Pediatrics
