FOCUSING ON BOTH THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ASPECTS OF today’s young athletes

The truth is, I haven’t talked in awhile about the physical dangers of contact sports. And especially in light of a couple of terrible tragedies in HS football games in NJ recently, where one player was killed and another suffered paralysis from the waist down, I felt this was a vital conversation to have this morning on my radio show.

And of course, in addition to the physical risks of playing sports, I also wanted to find out how the medical world is addressing the increasing mental stress that our young athletes are going through.

I was fortunate enough to have Dr. Eric Small, who has appeared on the Sports Edge several times in the past. And I can think of no one better qualified to go over and discuss the kinds of concerns that are commonplace with kids and teenagers in sports.

Dr. Small is a nationally recognized Expert in Pediatric Sports Medicine. He is Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Orthopedics  at Mount Sinai Hospital. He also serves as medical consultant and Player physician for US Open Tennis Championships. He’s also a sports parent himself, so he knows first hand about the stresses that young athletes and their parents experience.

Our conversation ranged this morning from what parents really need to know when their kid suffers a concussion, about overuse injuries in kids, how you can help your kid avoid ACL injuries, how to be on the lookout for Lyme Disease, and of course, a frank discussion about helping your youngster cope with pressure. You’ll find Dr. Small’s comments and expertise to be spot on. Listen to the show here: The Sports Edge with Rick Wolff

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