* how to keep your child athlete healthy in mind and body
* how to deal with the coach and other parents and help your child handle team pressure
* how to recognize and prevent injuries such as fractures, ligament tears, and repetitive stress injuries
* how to recognize when your child is doing "too much"
* how to judge the impact of daily physical practice on growing bodies
The Young Athlete provides two kinds of guidelines. First, it helps both you and your child keep a sensible perspective on the benefits of organized sports and avoid the "win at all costs" mentality. Through personal advice and anecdotes from his medical practice, Dr. Metzl, a marathon runner, Ironman triathlete, and former college soccer player, helps parents evaluate real-life situations and make decisions. He addresses the concerns of parents who have no experience in sports but want to encourage their children to achieve their utmost potential.
Second, this book focuses on strategies that can help prevent injuries and promote health. Dr. Metzl tells you how to recognize the most common injuries and determine their degree of seriousness. He also discusses the nutritional needs of the developing athlete and the benefits of strength and preventive conditioning before and during the season. The Young Athlete will enable your young athlete to be the best that he or she can be, both on and off the field.
