The return to school after a long summer break will normally lead to an increase in sporting activity for most children. Whether as a result of a return to PE lessons, after school clubs or extra-curricular activities, term-time will usually see the frequency of activity sessions increase.
As sporting participation increases, naturally the stress placed on the body will begin to add up. This extra exertion, at a time when the body is growing and maturing, makes it even more important to resolve aches and pains efficiently.
One of the problematic areas we see regularly at the Drummond Clinic is the quality of movement of young athletes. This is not necessarily related just to the technical actions involved in their sport, for instance a tennis serve, netball jump, football kick or rugby tackle, but also with their movement around the court or pitch.
Identifying movement compensations or abnormalities early allows us to make changes to improve efficiency and performance as well as reducing the risk of injury. This may involve exercises focusing on flexibility, strength or quality of movement.
Another common problem we see relates to the kit used for sport, specifically the footwear. For those who require support for the feet, there are a variety of trainers available on the market that provide differing levels of cushioning and stability.
With the autumn/winter season approaching and an increased participation in rugby, football, lacrosse and hockey for example, the correct footwear may be hard to find. The footwear designed and used for all of these sports come as a ‘neutral’ prescription. This means there is no specific control for anyone who over-pronates and requires support for the feet.
In these cases, custom insoles or orthotics may be beneficial to fill the void created by using an unsupported shoe. As well as being custom fitted to the feet, they can also be interchangeable between boots and trainers.
If you have any questions about custom orthotics or an injury concern, feel free to contact one of the Drummond Clinic Team on 01628 639 532.