Unleashing potential; sport performance for adolescents

In this blog, we will look at what the current research says on performance training for adolescents. As coaches and parents, we always want the best for our children, but can be unsure of what the most effective ways to stay injury free. Here we will look at the benefits and best practices for enhancing athletic ability in adolescents, understanding that growing bodies need specific considerations for their training in order to enhance performance and reduce risk of injury.

During adolescence, there are many physiological changes that occur which results in muscles and bones becoming susceptible to injury which can lead to needing to have time out of their sport. At Back to Bounce, helping athletes improve running, jumping, landing and efficient movement patterns, helps the body become resilient to injury and familiar with these patterns when playing sport. It is important not only socially, but also psychologically, that young athletes remain emotionally engaged and physically able to participate in their sport.

Research demonstrates that effectively designed resistance-based performance training programs in adolescence significantly improves athletic performance and helps to keep them on the field for longer. Programs focusing on agility, power, speed, strength and neuromuscular control can significantly reduce injury risk, along with enhancing athletic performance. Research has found that improvements in motor performance skills such as jumping are indicators of improvements in sporting performance.

Flexibility and mobility training, along with landing practice and jumping technique can significantly help with reducing the risk of lower limb injuries, particularly in field or court-based sports. Research shows that well rounded programs that address muscle imbalances and promote correct movement patterns can significantly reduce the risk of common sports injuries among young athletes.

When designing strength and conditioning programs for young athletes there are important considerations to take into account such as the individuals age, training intensity and load, the requirements of their sport and training with correct technique, ensuring that the athlete is getting adequate rest and recovery, along with ongoing monitoring and evaluating their progress.

Training programs can enhance the child’s physical capability, speed, strength and power. However, one of the most important aspects is the athlete’s confidence in their movement and confidence developed within themselves and their ability. Training in chaotic environments which simulate the uncontrollable nature of sport allows the athlete to prepare neural mechanisms and patterns in these situations, facilitating better reactions and movements when playing sport. By combining the research and carefully implementing it in a systematic way, understanding the unique needs of adolescents and their growing bodies, we can empower athletes to reach their full potential and partake in sport and physical activity long into the future. Who knows, maybe we will even see some emerging Sunshine Coast athletes at the Brisbane Olympics!

How can parents help?

To help your child remain in the game and injury-free it is important to monitor a number of aspects;

-          Fatigue levels

-          Psychological burnout

-          Managing training load

-          Nutritional needs

-          Ensuring adequate amounts of rest and recovery are implemented regularly

-          Sleep

-          Work with qualified sports medicine professionals such as a physiotherapist, exercise physiologist, sports physician or sports scientist          

At Back to Bounce, we are excited to launch our new Adolescent Sport Performance Program, running every Wednesday at 5pm. Exercise programs that are targeted to the individuals’ biomechanical needs of their sport provide the athlete with a specific program, tailored for them. This program focuses on specific strength and conditioning training in a progressive and safe manner. Building the foundations of athleticism in a group setting with support, guidance and supervision of a physiotherapist. The program involves an initial assessment of the individual, their strength and an understanding the requirements of their sport/s to ensure that they are training according to their goals.

To learn more about adolescent injuries, check out our blog here https://www.backtobounce.com.au/blog/growing-pains

To read more about symptoms of overtraining, read this blog https://www.backtobounce.com.au/blog/could-you-be-overtraining

How we can help adolescents with their sporting injuries

At Back to Bounce Sports Physiotherapy, we love to support our younger athletes with their sporting journey and the injuries that may present along the way. We work closely with the athlete and their parent/caregiver, school and sporting teams and other healthcare practitioners to ensure a coordinated and team care rehabilitation plan. If you or your adolescent child has an injury they need help with, wants to prevent injury, or needs guidance about managing load, you contact our clinic for further information or make an appointment to see our team by clicking BOOK NOW below.