Episode 2, Understanding Ages & Stages to Inform Developmentally Appropriate Youth Sports

Long-Term Athlete Development & Coaching Series, part 1/3

Guest: Rick Howard, DSc, CSCS,*D, FNSCA

Dr. Rick Howard, who is an Assistant Professor, Coaching Minor Advisor, and Sports Performance Coordinator at West Chester University joins us on today’s Healthy Youth Sports podcast. Dr. Howard comes to us from the youth sports landscape of including muscle strength and motor skills along the developmental continuum. We have an outstanding show for you today shining a spotlight on a very important topic of developmentally appropriate youth sports informed by long-term athletic development.

Follow Dr. Howard on Twitter
Follow NYSHSI on Twitter

Download the transcript of this episode

Additional resources:

Understanding Ages and Stages to Inform Developmentally Appropriate Youth Sports | Downloadable Handout
The United States Center for Coaching Excellence | Downloadable Handout, Partner Spotlight
Developing a Positive Youth Sports Culture | Downloadable Article

Episode 3, The Impact of Adolescent Development on Fitness and Conditioning Age and Stage

Long-Term Athlete Development & Coaching Series, part 2/3

Guest: Rick Howard, DSc, CSCS,*D, FNSCA

Dr. Rick Howard, an Assistant Professor, Coaching Minor Advisor, and Sports Performance Coordinator at West Chester University comes to us today from the youth sports landscape of including muscle strength and motor skills along the developmental continuum. We have an outstanding show for you today shining a spotlight on a very important topic of developmentally appropriate youth sports informed by long-term athletic development and the impact of adolescent development on fitness and conditioning age and stage. So, let's jump right in!

Follow Dr. Howard on Twitter
Follow NYSHSI on Twitter

Download the transcript of this episode

Additional resources:

The Impact of Adolescent Development on Fitness & Conditioning Age and Stage | Downloadable Handout
Youth Fitness Specialist | Online Course
ACSM's Essentials of Youth Fitness | Book
The United States Center for Coaching Excellence | Downloadable Handout, Partner Spotlight
Developing a Positive Youth Sports Culture | Downloadable Article

Episode 4, Matching Child Centered Policies to Appropriate Development in Youth Sports

Long-Term Athlete Development & Coaching Series, part 3/3

Guest: Rick Howard, DSc, CSCS,*D, FNSCA

With us today is Dr. Rick Howard who is an Assistant Professor, Coaching Minor Advisor, and Sports Performance Coordinator at West Chester University. Rick comes to us from the youth sports landscape of including muscle strength and motor skills along the developmental continuum. We have an outstanding show for you, shining a spotlight on a very important topic of matching child-centered policies to age and stage appropriate development in youth sport. 

Follow Dr. Howard on Twitter
Follow NYSHSI on Twitter

Additional resources:

Matching Child Centered Policies to Age- and Stage- Appropriate Development in Youth Sports | Downloadable Handout
Youth Fitness Specialist | Online Course
ACSM's Essentials of Youth Fitness | Book
The United States Center for Coaching Excellence | Downloadable Handout, Partner Spotlight
Developing a Positive Youth Sports Culture | Downloadable Article

Episode 5, Making the Connection: Youth Sports & Athletic Identity 

Guest: Tamerah Hunt, Ph.D., FACSM, and Kylie Roberts

With us today is Tamerah Hunt, Ph.D., FACSM, who is a Certified Athletic Trainer with expertise in mental health, concussion and youth sports. She obtained her PhD from the University of Georgia and currently works as the Program Coordinator for the MS in Kinesiology program with a concentration in Athletic Training at Georgia Southern University. Joining Dr. Hunt is Ms. Kylie Roberts, who is a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at Georgia Southern University with experience in mental health, mental health help seeking and cultural consideration in low socioeconomic status populations. We have an outstanding show for you today shining a spotlight on a very important topic of the effect of athletic identity in youth and adolescent athletes.

Follow Dr. Hunt on Twitter
Follow NYSHSI on Twitter

Additional resources:

Athletic Identity and Youth Sports | Downloadable Handout

Episode 6,The Female Athlete Triad

Guest: Elizabeth Joy, M.D., MPH, FACSM

The Female Athlete Triad was initially comprised of three distinct but interrelated conditions that may appear in female athletes: eating disorders, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis. Today, medical professionals recognize that a larger spectrum exists of lower energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and low bone density. Any female athlete may develop these symptoms, but those competing in sports where leanness may confer a competitive advantage, aesthetic sports, sports with weight classes, and anti-gravitational sports are at an increased risk.

With us today is Elizabeth Joy, M.D., MPH, FACSM, a family medicine and sports medicine physician with over 30 years of clinical experience. She is Chief Medical Officer for Lore Health, a Past President of the Female Athlete Triad Coalition and in 2016, served as President of the American College of Sports Medicine. We have an outstanding show for you today shining a spotlight on a very important topic of the Female Athlete Triad.

Follow NYSHSI on Twitter

Additional resources:

Optimal Nutrition for Youth Athletes: Food Sources and Fuel Timing | Downloadable Handout

Episode7, Youth Sports Specialization

Guest: Tony Moreno, Ph.D., CSCS*D USAW 1

Today's guest is Tony Moreno, Ph.D., CSCS*D USAW 1, a Professor of Kinesiology at Eastern Michigan University. Dr. Moreno teaches courses at EMU in biomechanics and sport performance training. He is a longtime member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) where he has been involved in promoting the Long Term Athlete Development framework in a variety of settings. He has also instructed athlete development coursework for the graduate coaching education programs at West Virginia University and Michigan State University, and has helped create athlete development and coaches' education materials for USA Lacrosse, USA Ultimate, and the Michigan High School Athletic Association. We have an outstanding show for you today, shining a spotlight on the very important topic of Youth Sport Specialization.

Sport specialization is a structured and intense approach to enhance specific physical capacities and sport skills to elevate one’s competitive ability relative to one’s developmental stage. Dr. Moreno discusses potential concerns and considerations, and sport sampling on today's episode.

Follow NYSHSI on Twitter @YouthSportInst

Follow Dr. Moreno on Twitter @TMoreno40SL

Resources

Sport Specializing | Handout

Episode 8, Trends in Youth Fitness

Guests: Avery Faignbaum, Ed.D., FACSM, Rhodri Lloyd, Ph.D., and Jon Oliver, Ph.D.

ACSM has named "youth athletic development" to No. 9 fitness trend for 2024:

"The #9 trend represents an approach to youth training that focuses on developing motor skills, strength, and coordination. There is a rise in training facilities and programs designed to improve confidence, develop social skills, and enhance sports performance. Children and adolescents learn basic movement patterns and prepare for skill acquisition. Exercise professionals should consider continuing education or specialty training when working with this special population."

Youth fitness researchers and experts Avery Faignbaum, Ed.D., FACSM, Rhodri Lloyd, Ph.D., and Jon Oliver, Ph.D., are authors of ACSM's Essentials of Youth Fitness book, and the brand new Youth Fitness Specialist certificate course. 

Today these three experts join the podcast to talk about the current state of youth fitness, and why it's been gaining interest over the last several years. 

Follow NYSHSI on Twitter/X

Follow Dr. Faigenbaum on Twitter/X

Follow Dr. Lloyd on Twitter/X

Follow Dr. Oliver on Twitter/X

Learn more about the book, ACSM's Essentials for Youth Fitness

Learn more about the online certificate course for ACSM's Youth Fitness Specialist

This episode's conversation with Andy Gillham, Ph.D., performance psychology coach at Sanford Sports, covers a number of topics related to applied and clinical performance psychology, including:

• The differences between applied and clinicial performance psychology, including key training differences in the two disciplices and what populations benefit from each,
• Mental health challenges in today's youth and adolescent athletes, and how parents and coaches can help,
• Six (6) ways for sports mental health professionals to work with young athletes and their parents/guardians.

Bio: Dr. Gillham works primarily with coaches and athletic administrators on improving systematic coach evaluation and provides targeted professional development opportunities for coaches and programs. He has helped athletes and coaches ranging from youth through professional, as well as administrators and business executives in Canada and the United States to improve their performance. In addition to his applied work, Dr. Gillham has published more than 40 articles in peer-reviewed academic journals on performance psychology.

Follow NYSHSI on Twitter

In this episode, we sit down with Tom Kane, a member of ACSM's Strategic Health Initiative on Youth Sports & Health, to explore the complex landscape of parental involvement in youth and adolescent sports. With his extensive background in public health, physical activity and sports, Tom sheds light on the impact of parental involvement, both positive and negative, and offers insights into what constitutes normal, appropriate and inappropriate behavior.

Tom delves into the concept of Achievement by Proxy Disorder, highlighting real-life examples of when parental involvement crosses the line and becomes detrimental to the young athlete's well-being. Drawing from his expertise, Tom also provides practical steps and strategies to minimize inappropriate parental involvement and foster a healthy sports environment for youth and adolescents.

Whether you're a parent, coach, or sports enthusiast, this episode offers valuable perspectives and guidance on how to navigate the delicate balance of parental involvement in youth and adolescent sports. Join us for an enlightening conversation that aims to empower and educate all stakeholders involved in youth sports.

Guest bio:  Tom Kane, J.D., MPH, MS, completed an epidemiology track Masters of Public Health degree from The George Washington University and a Masters degree in exercise science and health promotion with a concentration in sport psychology from Pennsylvania Western University. Tom holds elected positions with the Physical Activity and Mental Health Sections of the American Public Health Association and is the President of the District of Columbia Public Health Association. He has earned the Certified in Public Health certification from the National Board of Public Health Examiners and the Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist certification from the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Physical Activity Society.

Follow NYSHSI on Twitter/X

Follow ACSM on Twitter/X

In this episode of the Healthy Youth Sports podcast, we are joined by Dr. Thomas Kern, a distinguished sports medicine physician from Tulsa, OK. Dr. Kern specializes in managing multiple teams as a primary care sports medicine physician within a sports medicine fellowship. He brings his expertise from the Center for Concussion at the University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine, where he cares for concussion patients across all levels, from youth sports to professional athletes.

In this episode, we dive into the world of concussions, focusing on the importance of rest after a concussion and how it differs between youth and adult athletes. Dr. Kern shares tips on when it's safe to return to school and get back to activities, as well as when to start exercising again. We also chat about common mistakes that can slow down an athlete's return to play and what to do if progress seems slower than expected.

Whether you're a parent, athlete, or healthcare provider, this episode is full of valuable insights to help you navigate concussion recovery in youth sports. Tune in and learn how to support young athletes as they recover and get back to doing what they love. 

Follow NYSHSI on Twitter/X.

Additional Resources:

ACSM Resources on Sport-Related Concussion

Selected Issues in Sport-Related Concussion for the Team Physician: A Consensus Statement, published in Current Sports Medicine Reports (2021)

In this episode of The Healthy Youth Sports Podcast, we welcome Stephen Borelli, the sports parenting columnist for USA Today, to delve into the pressing issue of high dropout rates in youth sports. Join us as we discuss the factors contributing to this trend and explore practical solutions to keep kids engaged and active.

Our conversation is inspired by Borelli's recent insightful USA Today article, which sheds light on why 70% of kids drop out of organized sports by age 13. We'll explore his 10 points of advice for managing these challenges, emphasizing the importance of promoting athletics for healthy habits and ensuring that sports remain enjoyable, rather than solely a pathway to scholarships or professional careers.

Whether you're a parent, coach, or sports administrator, this episode offers valuable perspectives on how to create a positive and sustainable youth sports environment. Tune in for expert insights and actionable strategies to address the youth sports dropout dilemma.

Read more of Stephen's articles here.

Follow Stephen on Twitter/X. 

Follow NYSHSI on Twitter/X.

Understanding Exercise Physiology for the Diabetic Youth Athlete

Join us for an enlightening episode of The Healthy Youth Sports podcast with special guest Dr. Sheri Colberg-Ochs, a leading expert in physical activity and exercise in people with diabetes. Dr. Colberg-Ochs shares her expertise on how the body responds physiologically to different types of sports and activities in diabetic youth.

In this episode, we explore the body's energy systems and their impact on exercise, how to identify which energy system is being used, and why this is crucial for youth athletes with diabetes. Dr. Colberg-Ochs also discusses the role of carbohydrates and fats in exercise, offering insights into the best dietary practices for these young athletes.

Whether you're a parent, coach, or athlete, this episode provides valuable information on optimizing performance and managing diabetes through a better understanding of exercise physiology.

Guest bio: Sheri Colberg-Ochs, Ph.D., FACSM, is is a world-renowned expert in physical activity and exercise in people with diabetes. She's a professor emerita of exercise science from Old Dominion University, an author of 12 books and hundreds of book chapters, articles and blogs, a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, and the 2016 recipient of the American Diabetes Association Outstanding Educator in Diabetes award.

5 Things You Need to Know about Diabetes and Exercise

Joining us again today is Dr. Sheri Colberg-Ochs, a renowned expert in physical activity and exercise in people with diabetes, who shares five key things that people with diabetes should know about exercise. In this episode, we delve into the science behind how exercise impacts blood glucose levels and address some common misconceptions. Dr. Colberg-Ochs explains why exercise doesn't always immediately lower blood glucose, while it can have significant long-lasting effects. She also discusses the importance of building muscle mass for youth with diabetes and the positive benefits of incorporating recess and activity breaks in schools.

We also discuss ACSM's Exercise is Medicine program, highlighting its role in promoting exercise as a key element in managing diabetes and overall health. Whether you're managing diabetes or simply looking to stay active, this episode offers valuable insights to help you navigate the relationship between exercise and diabetes.

Guest bio: Sheri Colberg-Ochs, Ph.D., FACSM, is a world-renowned expert in physical activity and exercise in people with diabetes. She's a professor emerita of exercise science from Old Dominion University, an author of 12 books and hundreds of book chapters, articles, and blogs, a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, and the 2016 recipient of the American Diabetes Association Outstanding Educator in Diabetes award.