Many student athletes are transitioning to winter sports. Some hardly take a break between sports while others go onto the court cold, and that could be dangerous.
Morgan Conner, a senior at North Kansas City High School, is looking forward to going to the University of Arkansas on a volleyball scholarship.
“I play basketball and club volleyball at the same time, so I like to stay really busy,” she said.
Conner has been playing JV and Varsity sports since her freshman year. She hasn’t had anything more serious than an ankle sprain.
“You know, injuries in sports could happen just because of bad luck or a bad landing or certainly in football, a bad tackle,” said Dr. Randall Goldstein with Mosaic Life Center.
Athletes who go from nothing to playing full out should be careful.
“Not only having an injury, but just not being prepared and not looking good on the court or on the field, so good warm up, good practice, slow increase in their progress until they’re ready for the game,” said Goldstein.
What happens off the field is just as important.
“The growing athlete is working out constantly and still trying to grow as well,” Goldstein said. “So making sure you get enough sleep and eating correctly with a balanced diet with at least three meals a day and snack is really important to make sure you’re good on the field.”
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Jane Monreal can be reached at JANE.MONREAL@KSHB.com.
