Transitioning From Junior To Senior Sport

Dr Jarryd Crisp-OSTEOPATH-Double Bachelor of Health Science/Applied Science (Osteopathy)

From an early age, the demand put on young athletes in their chosen sport can be quite overwhelming. Through this, bad and unhelpful habits can develop, especially when it comes to stretching and general strength and conditioning. The reality is, the bodies of young athletes are still developing, and if overtraining and loading does occur, this can put significant stress on an already fragile and immature musculoskeletal system, leading to muscle strains, joint sprains and overuse injuries.

On top of all this, making that transition from junior to senior sport can add to an already increased workload. Typically, this transition tends to occur between the ages of 14-18, depending on the sport of choice. With this transition, there is usually an associated increased intensity and duration of training and match play.

With this increased demand, there are a few things to keep in mind in order to help make this transition as seamless as possible. These include,

· Developing good stretching/ body conditioning habits from a young age. Having a warm up and cool down with every training session and match.

· Listen to your body! Monitor your workload. Don’t be afraid to speak to your trainer or coach if you are finding it a little overwhelming.

· Touching base with your osteopath when required and asking questions regarding how best to manage any issues you may have.

These are just a few helpful tips to make this transition that little bit easier, and to help reduce the likelihood of future injury.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your current training regime or any current conditions you may be experiencing, please feel free to contact one of our friendly osteopaths at the Melton clinic on 9747 0077.