Tips fir Student Athletes to Stay Healthy

     By: Julian Brenman ‘20, Junior Sports Information Director  (JR SID)                     

     Student athletes at Friends’ Central are known for their dedication, hard work and team-centered approach. For some, this commitment comes at a cost, which in many cases, is injured youngsters. In fact, Stop Sports Injuries.org estimates American student athletes at the Upper School level account for 2 million injuries, 500,000 doctor visits, and 30,000 hospitalizations annually. So, how can athletes stay in the game and out of the Doctor’s office? Keep reading to discover five tips from local experts.

     Mrs. Lisa Mansure is FCS’ 7th and 10th grade health teacher, lifeguarding instructor and Middle School field hockey,  swimming and girls’ lacrosse coach. Through her extensive experience shaping young athletes, Mrs. Mansure notices, “Many students do not have a broad range of motion.” To improve this, Coach Mansure suggests, “Student athletes need to make stretching a priority. They should stretch before, during and even after the practice or game. Yoga can also be a useful way to improve flexibility.” If stretching or yoga migrate to the bottom of a student athlete’s to do list, Coach Mansure warns the consequences may be severe. “I have an athlete on one of my teams, who has been advised to stretch regularly. However, this person hasn’t been doing that and is more prone to injuries.”

     Brynne Mennen ‘20 plays soccer and lacrosse for Friends’ Central as well as outside of school teams. For Brynne, the name of the game(s) in terms of staying safe and healthy is to eat properly: “The way you eat is really important before a game or practice. Before the day of a game, you should eat carbs. For game days, you should definitely have a good breakfast. That should comprise of a lot of protein. After breakfast on game days, I don’t usually eat a lot, but right before I get on the field, I’ll have a protein bar or something to give me energy.”

     Swimmer and circus acrobat Ava Sheffler ‘20 says that she “Makes sure to drink lots of water to ensure I don’t get cramps in my legs.” Baseball player and gymnast Jonathan Roach ‘20 says, “When you notice a minor pain or injury, don’t necessarily  assume it’s something serious. Yet, it’s important to be cautious. I recommend talking to other players, coaches, the athletic trainer or nurse to find out what it may be.”

     Hannah Rossio is a fantastic tennis and softball player, but has been cursed with “diagnosed joint issues.” She warns others not to “do silly things while playing your sport that you know may jeopardise your safety. It’s good to push yourself while on the field or court, but not to the point where it becomes a hazard. A lot of times during practice, even when I’m injured, I want to ‘be the hero’ and persevere through an injury, and ‘save the day.’ However, it’s very important to save that ambition for game time.”

    Mrs. Michelle Crowley serves as our Director of Athletics & Wellness. To sustain wellness during athletics, she advises students to “Take time off one day a week. Rest is needed as part of any training regiment. You should also have the right protective gear and footwear that is necessary for performance. Remember that 90% of sports is mental. Mindfulness can be used as a tool to manage pain, decrease anxiety and improve focus. Closely attending to our bodies through mindfulness and meditation helps us to become better, calmer, athletic performers.” She closes the interview with words of encouragement. “All sports have the risk of injury, but the benefits of sports participation absolutely outweigh the risks.”