sports Archives - Healthy Kids Today

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Mix Up the Sideline Snack

October 8, 2018/in Tips /by Melodie Griffin

Are you in charge of the sideline snack this week? Serve up fruit slices, veggie sticks, water, or whole grain crackers.

Playing Sports in the Summer

July 9, 2018/in Tips /by Melodie Griffin

Playing sports in high heat can increase the risk of dehydration and heat-related illnesses. These sicknesses, like heat stroke, exhaustion, and cramps, can range from irritating to life-threatening. Coach your kids in the importance of staying cool and drinking plenty of water while spending time outside in the summer.

Stay Safe While Playing Sports

February 2, 2018/in Tips /by Melodie Griffin

Taking part in sports and recreation activities is an important part of a healthy, physically active lifestyle for kids. But injuries can, and do, occur. More than 2.6 million children 0-19 years old are treated in the emergency department each year for sports and recreation-related injuries.

Thankfully, there are steps that parents can take to help make sure kids stay safe on the field, the court, or wherever they play or participate in sports and recreation activities.

Key Prevention Tips

Gear up. When children are active in sports and recreation, make sure they use the right protective gear for their activity, such as helmets, wrist guards, knee or elbow pads.

Use the right stuff. Be sure that sports protective equipment is in good condition, fits appropriately and is worn correctly all the time—for example, avoid missing or broken buckles or compressed or worn padding. Poorly fitting equipment may be uncomfortable and may not offer the best protection.

Get an action plan in place. Be sure your child’s sports program or school has an action plan that includes information on how to teach athletes ways to lower their chances of getting a concussion and other injuries. Get more concussion safety tips.

Pay attention to temperature. Allow time for child athletes to gradually adjust to hot or humid environments to prevent heat-related injuries or illness. Parents and coaches should pay close attention to make sure that players are hydrated and appropriately dressed.

Be a good model. Communicate positive safety messages and serve as a model of safe behavior, including wearing a helmet and following the rules.

Sports Injury Prevention Tips

August 12, 2016/in Tips /by Melodie Griffin

More American children are competing in sports than ever before. Sports help children and adolescents keep their bodies fit and feel good about themselves. However, there are some important injury prevention tips that can help you promote a safe, optimal sports experience for your child.

Injury Risks
All sports have a risk of injury. In general, the more contact in a sport, the greater the risk of a traumatic injury. However, most injuries in young athletes are due to overuse.

Most frequent sports injuries are sprains (injuries to ligaments) strains (injuries to muscles), and stress fractures (injury to bone) caused when an abnormal stress is placed on tendons, joints, bones and muscle. In a growing child, point tenderness over a bone should be evaluated further by a medical provider even if there is minimal swelling or limitation in motion. Contact your pediatrician if you have additional questions or concerns.

To reduce the risk of injury:

Take time off. Plan to have at least 1 day off per week and at least one month off per year from training for a particular sport to allow the body to recover.
Wear the right gear. Players should wear appropriate and properly fit protective equipment such as pads (neck, shoulder, elbow, chest, knee, shin), helmets, mouthpieces, face guards, protective cups, and/or eyewear.
Young athletes should not assume that protective gear will prevent all injuries while performing more dangerous or risky activities.
Strengthen muscles. Conditioning exercises during practice strengthens muscles used in play.
Increase flexibility. Stretching exercises after games or practice can increase flexibility. Stretching should also be incorporated into a daily fitness plan.
Use the proper technique. This should be reinforced during the playing season.
Take breaks. Rest periods during practice and games can reduce injuries and prevent heat illness.
Play safe. Strict rules against headfirst sliding (baseball and softball), and spearing (football), and checking in hockey should be enforced.
Stop the activity if there is pain.
Avoid heat injury by drinking plenty of fluids before, during and after exercise or play; decrease or stop practices or competitions during high heat/humidity periods; wear light clothing.

Sports-Related Emotional Stress
The pressure to win can cause significant emotional stress for a child. Sadly, many coaches and parents consider winning the most important aspect of sports. Young athletes should be judged on effort, sportsmanship and hard work. They should be rewarded for trying hard and for improving their skills rather than punished or criticized for losing a game or competition. The main goal should be to have fun and learn lifelong physical activity skills.

Free Summer Healthcare for OCPS Students

June 9, 2016/in Healthy School Teams /by Melodie Griffin

Free healthcare is available for Orange County Public Schools students this summer through the cooperative efforts of Healthcare Providers of Florida, Orange County Public Schools, and the Orange County Citizens’ Commission for Children. Services include school entry, sports physical and Special Olympics physicals, as well as sick visits for diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury, including prescriptions. All healthcare services are provided by nurse practitioners.

Services are by appointment only
Students must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
Please bring most recent immunization records to your appointment

Lake Weston Elementary
550 Milan Drive
Orlando, FL 32810
407-286-2947
Dates of Service: July 12, 13, 19, 20

Walker Middle School
150 Amadon Lane
Orlando, FL 32809
407-850-5101
Dates of Service: July 11, 12, 18, 21, 25, 26, 28 and August 1, 4, 8, 11

Sportsmanship for Parents

May 31, 2016/in Tips /by Melodie Griffin

Adapted from Very Well

As soon as your child joins his first tiny tot soccer team, he starts to learn sportsmanship. Teaching it is part of his coach’s job—but it’s also your responsibility, and one that’s shared by every sports parent. Kids are watching, so be a good role model, right from the beginning. Here’s the grown-up version of 10 basic sportsmanship principles every young athlete should know.

1. Play by the rules. Don’t lie to the coach about why your child skipped practice, or try to sneak him onto a team he’s not ready for. Rules are in place to keep the sport safe, fair, and fun for everyone. Don’t teach your child that exceptions are okay; that doesn’t build team unity.

2. Be a team player. Help the coaches when you can, and cheer for every team member. Being a team player also means not asking for special treatment, such as extra playing time, for your own child.

3. Be a good friend. Seek to be kind and inclusive when you interact with the parents of your child’s teammates, as well as coaches, officials, league administrators, and so on. Remember, almost everyone is a volunteer and is there because his or her child loves the sport.

4. Own your mistakes. It happens: You forget a piece of equipment, deliver your child to practice late, or mess up a task you volunteered to do.

5. Avoid “trash talk.” If you have negative opinions of coaches, players, officials, parents, or anyone else involved in the sport, keep them to yourself. That goes double anytime you’re within earshot of your child, her teammates, their opponents, and any other sports parents. If you have to vent, never do it in public or online. Save it for a private conversation with your spouse or a trusted friend.

6. Say “thank you.” It’s just good manners—and it helps keeps a sports program running smoothly. Everyone likes to feel recognized and appreciated.

7. Ask other fans to be good sports too. If you bring your other children, relatives and friends to your child’s games and events, make sure they are good spectators.

8. Shake hands after the game. While you may not be down on the field with your child doing the customary handshake, you can interact politely with the opposing team’s parents in the stands and anywhere else you encounter them.

9. Be respectful when you win. Just as you’d tell your child: Winning is fun! Enjoy it, but not at the expense of the losing team.

10. Be gracious when you lose. When the game doesn’t go your way, accept it and move on. This isn’t the time to berate the officials or coaches. Let the coach debrief the team and show them how to learn from the loss. Your role is to support your child and help him deal with any disappointment.

Sports Injury Prevention Tips

May 10, 2016/in Tips /by Melodie Griffin

Adapted from the American Academy of Pediatrics

All sports have a risk of injury. In general, the more contact in a sport, the greater the risk of a traumatic injury. However, most injuries in young athletes are due to overuse.

To reduce the risk of injury:

Take time off. Plan to have at least 1 day off per week and at least one month off per year from training for a particular sport to allow the body to recover.
Wear the right gear. Players should wear appropriate and properly fit protective equipment such as pads (neck, shoulder, elbow, chest, knee, shin), helmets, mouthpieces, face guards, protective cups, and/or eyewear. Young athletes should not assume that protective gear will prevent all injuries while performing more dangerous or risky activities.
Strengthen muscles. Conditioning exercises during practice strengthens muscles used in play.
Increase flexibility. Stretching exercises after games or practice can increase flexibility. Stretching should also be incorporated into a daily fitness plan.
Use the proper technique. This should be reinforced during the playing season.
Take breaks. Rest periods during practice and games can reduce injuries and prevent heat illness.
Play safe. Strict rules against headfirst sliding (baseball and softball), and spearing (football), and checking in hockey should be enforced.
Stop the activity if there is pain.
Avoid heat injury by drinking plenty of fluids before, during and after exercise or play; decrease or stop practices or competitions during high heat/humidity periods; wear light clothing.

Sports-Related Emotional Stress

The pressure to win can cause significant emotional stress for a child. Sadly, many coaches and parents consider winning the most important aspect of sports. Young athletes should be judged on effort, sportsmanship and hard work. They should be rewarded for trying hard and for improving their skills rather than punished or criticized for losing a game or competition. The main goal should be to have fun and learn lifelong physical activity skills.

National Girls & Women in Sports Day

February 3, 2016/in News /by Melodie Griffin

This year marks the 30th annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD), a national observance celebrating the extraordinary achievements of women and girls in sports.

Join us in recognizing the extraordinary achievements of those who have helped to effect change and create opportunities for women and girls in sports.

Use the hashtag #NGWSD to join the festivities online. Your NGWSD moment could be featured on our site.

For more information, visit http://ngwsd.org

Dr. Jayne’s Black Bean Burgers

November 8, 2015/in Recipes /by Melodie Griffin

By: President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition

How do you like your burger? Consider ditching the traditional beef or turkey patty for a black bean burger. When the beans are smashed and mixed with just the right spice, you end up with a delicious alternative.

This substitution is also great for anyone looking for a healthy option without sacrificing taste. Black beans are low in fat, cholesterol-free, and provide 30% of the daily recommended amount of fiber.

Give this recipe a try and tell the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition how you like it! Be sure to share pictures on Twitter. Tag @FitnessGov and/or hashtag #CookWithTheCouncil

#CookWithTheCouncil – Dr. Jayne’s Black Bean Burgers!

Ingredients:

Burger Patties:

1 can of black beans drained and rinsed

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 chopped cloves of fresh garlic

¼ cup diced sweet Vidalia onions

1 egg or 2 egg white (no yolk)

1 teaspoon of cumin

1 teaspoon of chili powder (if you like a bit of spice)

1 ½ cup bread crumbs

Other Ingredients:

Whole wheat hamburger buns

1 whole fresh avocado

Preparation:

In a food processor, add all the burger patty ingredients. Carefully place the blended mixture in a bowl so that you can divide and make your black bean patties.
Form your patties and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
Light the outdoor grill, or indoor electric grill, and brush lightly with olive oil.
Place the Black Bean Burgers on the grill in either a grilling pan or some aluminum foil until firm. Finish off directly on the grill so they get those wonderful grill marks.
While the Black Bean Burgers are cooking, gently slice into your avocado so that you can place the slices on your burger with any other condiment you desire.
Slightly grill the whole wheat buns on the grill and they will be ready to build your burger.

VARIATION: You can change up the flavor of your black bean burger to your taste by the types of toppings you add. This can include lettuce and tomato, salsa, cheese, etc.

Dr. Jayne's Black Bean Burgers