National Youth Sports Week is July 20 - 26 and is a showcase for how communities can promote healthy lifestyles for children and families through sports. Celebrate by checking out all that’s happening at ACSM’s affiliate, the National Youth Sports Health and Safety Institute (NYSHSI). The institute encourages kids, parents and coaches/administrators to utilize the many resources available on its website to help the overall youth sports experience.

• Youth Sports e-Toolkit (seven areas of emphasis providing evidence-based resources)
• Kids, take the Athlete Pledge!
• Parents, take the Parent Pledge!
• Youth Sports Organization Pledge
• Youth sports organization administrators can show commitment to safe and healthy youth athlete development and participation by becoming a Best Practices Partner
• Check out how Sanford Health and South Dakota Junior Football have implemented the US National Physical Activity Plan SPORTS Sector’s Strategy 5 to establish a healthy community partnership and safe environment for young football players of South Dakota. Utilize this help sheet to help your youth sports organization follow a similar model in your community.

• 10 Tips for Building Fit Kids | Infographic
• Effective Strategies to Enhance Long Term Athletic Development & How to Reduce Overuse and Burnout Injuries in Young Athletes | Article & Infographic
• Youth Sports - Making It Safe in the Heat | Article
• Youth Strength Training | Article
• Plyometric Training for Children and Adolescents | Article