Bill Pennington (NYT) and WPM Editorial Staff

WPM Article Summary: WPM Copy Editors Title of Article: Doctors see a Big Rise in injuries as young Athletes train non-stop Author: Bill Pennington Publication: The New York Times Date of Publication: February 22, 2008

WPM Comment Young Athletes, and the general adolescent for that matter, have fallen into the trend of performing similar movements or sports without rest or deviation from their primary activity. Physicians are seeing Young Adults presenting with Chronic Injuries such as elbow discomfort (Tommy John) and postural distortions from sitting in front of a computer for hours on end. Getting kids moving again by playing outside, interacting with their peers in dynamic multifaceted venues, and stimulating varying movement patterns are paramount to prevent youngsters from developing these chronic conditions.

Introductory Summary *General introduction to the article content Children all over the country who participate in sports have been overtraining to such an extent that they are causing themselves injuries. Around the U.S., doctors in pediatric sports have said that overtraining has become a new childhood disease. Some typical injuries for 13 and 14 year old kids should not effect them until they are middle aged. As Dr. James Andrews said "you get a kid on the operating table and you say to yourself "it's impossible for a 13 year old to have this kind of injury. We have an epidemic going on."

Bullet Points: 6 Points of Interest from the article • Typical injuries range from stress factors, growth plate disorders, cracked knee caps, frayed heel tendons to back conditions • Children are doing this because parents push for college scholarships • 51 High School Pictures were operated on last year by Dr. Andrews • Many kids are relieved if they get an injury and have to take a break. It's the parents that are devastated • Better coaching would possibly reduce the overuse injuries among young children • In March of 2005, a public service campaign to educate young athletes, parents, and coaches about overuse injuries was started throughout the country

Conclusion Summary Overuse injuries among young athletes is an epidemic. Children around the country are causing themselves irrevocable damage. Usually kids play with the "fight through the pain" mentality to appease either themselves or more often their parents. But doctors in pediatric sports are fighting back. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the Then National Athletic Trainers' Association have banned together to create a public service campaign against overtraining in youth athletes, and they hope to see a turn for the better in the future.

Sources • Dr. James Andrews-Sports Orthopedist • Dr. Lyle Micheli-Director of the Sports Medicine division at Boston Children's Hospital • Dr. Angela Smith-Orthopedic Surgeon-Children's Hospital of Philadelphia • Dr. Michael Busch-Atlantic Orthopedic Surgeon • Dr. William O. Roberts-President of the American College of Sports Medicine • Vinny Sullivan-Certified Strength/Conditioning Coach & Director of Sports Performance at Forme' Health & Fitness