Category: physical activity

Posted on

Podcast: Tips for Character Development Through Sport & More!

sidelineI visited Marti Erickson on MomEnough to do a second podcast on sport parents where we discussed youth sports, questioned many assumptions, called out unhelpful parental behavior and challenged parents to step up and use proven approaches to help children reap optimal benefits of organized sports. Listen to the podcast here.

Did you recognize any of your own parenting behaviors in what parents should not do? What were the most important things parents should do?

My first podcast “Being a Good Sport Parent: Practical Guidance on Bringing Out the Best in Your Young Athlete” with MomEnough is here.

Posted on

New Report on the Dangers of Early Sport Specialization

sport-specialization-aap-2016
Sports Specialization and Intensive Training in Young Athletes; ©2016 by American Academy of Pediatrics

I am a long time advocate of late specialization-early diversification in youth sport, and this research report by the American Academy of Pediatrics “Sports Specialization and Intensive Training in Young Athletes” in the September 2016 issue of Pediatrics hits the mark and provides concrete evidence that early specialization in NOT the optimal pathway to either elite performance or health and well being.

The AAP report along with the Aspen Institute’s Project Play, I “hope” will begin to shift the discussion and beliefs about youth sport participation and structure 180 degrees away from winning/performance to fun and enjoyment and development.  In January 2015, the Aspen Institute released “Sport for All, Play for Life: A Playbook to Get Every Kid in the Game,” a 48-page report that offers a new model for youth sports in America, with eight strategies for the eight sectors that touch the lives of children.

The cultural shift has to start with sport parent and coach education.

 

Posted on

Reform Needed in Youth Sport

WCCO Nov 2015 Project Play

I comment this in this piece titled “As competition rises, team sports decline, but traveling teams soar WCCO-TV”.  

The The Aspen Institute’s Project Play is also mentioned.

Project Play focuses on access to quality sport opportunities for children ages 12 and under. “Sport for All, Play for Life: A Playbook to Get Every Kid in the Game (2015),” is a 48-page report that offers a new model for youth sports in America, with eight strategies for the eight sectors that touch the lives of children.

Posted on

Happy National Girls & Women in Sport Day 2013!

Celebrate the active and sporing females in your life today-or yourself-by trying a new physical activity.

Here are 3 things you can do today, or any day, to be more active. The most important thing is to MOVE…in any way you can! Did you know that being sedentary is the new smoking?

1. Set a timer to beep every 30-45mns and when it rings, get up and walk up and down a flight of stairs or down the hallway.

2. Go to a local boutique gym and take a new class…smaller, customized, friendly, local gyms are the new trend, so find one near you and venture out. Here is a list of the Top 10 new fitness trends for 2013.

3. Practice your balance. Balance is an important part of functional fitness, but we rarely think about it that way. Just get our of your chair and stand on one leg for up to one minute and switch legs. You can do it holding onto something or free standing.

Remember….just MOVE!