Ask the Expert: How to Keep Young Athletes Safe and Strong

More kids and teens are playing sports than ever before—and that’s a great thing. Sports help build confidence, keep kids active, and teach valuable life skills. But as young athletes train harder and play longer seasons, injuries can start to show up, especially when they don’t get enough rest, mix things up, or condition properly.

One of the biggest issues I see is overuse injuries. These happen when the same muscles and joints are worked too much without time to recover. This is common in athletes who focus on just one sport all year round. For example, shoulder and elbow injuries are most common among baseball players. Other examples of overuse injuries include tendonitis, muscle strains, and ligament sprains. Overuse injuries start small but can get worse if they’re not addressed early on. That is why I recommend to play different sports during the year, as it can help protect the body by using different muscles and giving others a break.

However, switching between sports without enough time to condition for the next one can also increase the risk of injury. Every sport places different demands on the body, so it’s important to train for the specific movements and muscles needed. For example, a football player transitioning into track season may be at higher risk for hamstring strains or shin splints if they don’t gradually build up running volume and flexibility. Or if that same athlete moves into baseball without preparing the shoulder and core for throwing motions, they could experience arm fatigue or injury early in the season. That’s why a proper preseason conditioning routine is so important.

At the end of the day, the goal is to keep kids doing what they love—without getting sidelined. With the right balance of training, rest, and support, young athletes can stay healthy, build confidence, and continue growing in their sport.

About Dr. Eric Wilkinson

Dr. Eric Wilkinson treats athletes and weekend warriors from a broad range of sports. He is dedicated to preventing injuries through educating patients on how to train safely, so that people can keep doing what they love. His goal is help patients stay strong, healthy, and in the game.

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