Home Page

EAST HANOVER, N.J., March 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The onset of puberty can make young athletes and dancers bigger and stronger ... as well as clumsier, and thus more inclined toward a variety of injuries.

Muscle mass increases significantly during puberty, while the body's center of gravity is altered. It's a period of rapid growth -- the extremities and hands often grow more quickly than the rest of the body and, in some cases, boys gain nearly 12 inches of height in single year. And while these sudden changes are a natural part of human development, they do have a downside.

"With young athletes in the midst of puberty, a large number of injuries are the result of literally tripping over their own feet," says Jannel Arrieche, Certified Athletic Trainer at SportsCare Physical Therapy of Cedar Knolls 2. "These kids are playing the same games, but doing so in new, larger, and suddenly more awkward bodies. And, obviously, that can be a recipe for problems."

Girls, for example, are more likely to suffer torn anterior cruciate ligaments once they begin puberty. Various factors contribute to this increased incidence of injury, including the natural widening of hips creating a more physically stressful "Q" (hip-knee-ankle) angle.

Another sports-related injury that's quite common during puberty is the "greenstick" bone fracture, which often happens when an adolescent extends a hand to avoid a fall. In most cases, this type of injury will heal appropriately through immobilization by a splint or cast, followed by physical therapy.

While there's no way to completely prevent puberty-related injuries in young athletes, strength training followed by frequent stretching does offer benefits. In addition, it's beneficial to be cognizant of -- and avoid -- any tendency toward replacing physical activity with primarily sedentary pastimes.

"Youngsters must remember to stretch," explains Alexandra Scriffignano, director of SportsCare Physical Therapy of East Hanover, NJ. "Rapidly growing muscles are extremely prone to strain and such resultant injuries as Osgood-Schlatter disease and Sever's disease -- particularly when they're also being exposed to repetitive stress, as is the case with athletes and dancers. Stretching at least allows for increased flexibility, and prevents muscles from becoming too tight."

About SportsCare Institute, Inc

SportsCare Institute, Inc. manages a network of physical and occupational therapy centers. The company's goal is providing the highest quality of care available, with an emphasis on preventing injury, treating pain, and recovering function.  Each of SportsCare's more than 60 facilities offers the latest technology in rehabilitation, and is equipped with state-of-the art modalities, testing and exercise equipment, and more. Additional information is available online, at http://www.sportscare1.com.

SOURCE SportsCare Institute, Inc.