Knee Pain The knee is made up of bones, cartilage (or menisci) that lie between the knee and the bones of the lower leg, ligaments that run along the inside and outside part of the knee (medial and lateral collateral ligaments), and ligaments that cross the inside of the knee (anterior (ACL) and posterior (PCL) cruciate ligaments). Injury to any of these structures can cause knee pain. It is very common for children to complain of knee pain, especially adolescents that are active in sports. If your child has knee...

Eating Disorders Anorexia nervosa is a common eating disorder that usually begins at the age of fourteen or fifteen, with another peak in incidence in eighteen year olds. It is more common in adolescent girls (affecting almost 1% of adolescent females), but it is also found in boys and its incidence has been increasing. Anorexia causes an overwhelming fear of being overweight and a drive to be thin, leading to a restriction of calories that can lead to being underweight. Teens with anorexia may also have bulimia nervosa, with a...

Q: My child gets so nervous before a competition. Is this natural? What can I do to help her reduce this competitive pressure/stress. A: To a degree, nervousness is part of the competitive experience and can be used as an opportunity to teach the young athlete specific strategies or skills to help her manage this arousal or nervousness. A simple skill that young athletes can learn to help manage the “butterflies in their stomachs” is belly breathing. The athlete is taught to take slow, deep breaths into her belly, hold...

No matter what type of physical activity you do, you should always be sure to drink plenty of water — before you start, during the activity, and after you're done, even if you don't feel thirsty Fuel Up for Fun Whether you hit the court, the field, the track, the rink, or your back yard to get some physical activity, you'll need some fuel to keep you going! Here are some great snacks to munch on to keep your body movin' and your stomach silent: Fresh veggies like carrots and...

I know the mental aspect of swimming is important. Should my child be using mental skills, or is she too young? A: If we equate mental skills with physical skills, as we should, this question becomes easier to answer. Just as there are certain physical skills that a young swimmer is not physically, developmentally, or cognitively ready for, there are also mental skills he is not ready to learn. But, on the flip side, there are basic mental skills young athletes can be taught at this level. It is great...

Equipment Essentials Below is a list of common equipment used by competitive swimmers. Not all equipment is required for every swimmer, and some clubs may even provide certain items for practice and meets. Your child’s coach will be able to tell you exactly what your swimmer needs. MUST HAVES FOR THE NEW SWIMMER Goggles: Swimmers use goggles to protect their eyes from the chlorine as well as to gain a clear view of their surroundings in the pool. There are a variety of colors and styles depending on the preference...

O is for Overtraining By Dr. Aimee Kimball//Sport Psychologist Physical exhaustion, sore muscles, mental fatigue, moodiness – what swimmer hasn’t experienced this before? While most swimmers are accustomed to wearing themselves out, too much exertion with not enough rest can lead to what’s often referred to as “overtraining.” This is a very common problem with swimmers and the physical and mental aspects need to be understood in order to prevent overtraining and ultimately to avoid burning out from your sport. What is overtraining? Basically, overtraining occurs when athletes train to...

ALL PST FAMILIES Please join us for a Back to School Beach Bash- Saturday, September 11th at 10AM. The PST Booster Club is sponsoring a FAMILY PICNIC at John U Lloyd Beach State Park, in Dania, at The SEAGRAPE PAVILION. Burgers, hot dogs and drinks will be supplied by the Booster Club. Families are asked to bring a favorite picnic food. A-K bring a dessert, L-U bring a side dish, V-Z bring a fruit dish. RSVP to Colleen at [email protected]

THE TAPER CHASE By T.J Liston Many times senior swimmers get to the end of the season and look for great swims and great time drops due to the “Magic of The Taper.” Often, swimmers expect these things to materialize because they have in the past, because other swimmers on the team have done well, because it is an important meet, or because they just want it to. But in reality, the reason why swimmers swim fast is because they have prepared to. Good performance is preceded by good preparation....

Are red eyes after swimming a concern? Red or puffy eyes after a long day of swimming in a pool may indicate chlorine sensitivity. Ponds and lakes also may contain bacteria that can inflame the cornea. To prevent red or puffy eyes, have your child wear goggles. To ease discomfort and reduce redness after swimming, rinse your child's eyes with a sterile eyewash or an artificial tears solution.