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Is Your Young Athlete at Risk? Proven Ways to Prevent Injury and Build Performance
In youth sports, few things are more frustrating than an athlete sidelined by injury, especially when it’s avoidable. Whether your child is a runner, tennis player, volleyball player, or plays multiple sports throughout the year, staying healthy is the key to long-term success and enjoyment.
At UNITE.rehab.perform in Thornton, CO, we work closely with youth athletes and their parents to build a strong foundation through better movement mechanics, strength training, smart recovery, and proactive injury prevention. This guide is for both parents and athletes—so you can keep your child healthy, resilient, and performing at their best.
Why Young Athletes Get Injured (And How to Prevent It)
Growing bodies face unique challenges. Bones grow faster than muscles and tendons can keep up. Technique is still developing. And with the pressure to compete at a higher level earlier than ever, many kids are training like adults before their bodies are ready.
Here’s what puts youth athletes at risk:
— Growth spurts create strength and mobility imbalances.
— Repetitive stress (like running, jumping, or throwing) with poor mechanics leads to overuse injuries.
— Early sport specialization leading to overuse and burnout
— Poor foundational movement patterns create compensations that break down the body over time.
The good news? With the right training approach, most of these injuries are preventable.
Foundation Before Intensity: What Young Athletes Really Need
Before we ask kids to sprint, cut, throw, or lift, they need to move well first. At UNITE, we coach young athletes to build a movement “library” that includes:
• Squatting
• Lunging
• Hinging
• Rotating
• Pushing & pulling
• Carrying
• Crawling
• Running with good mechanics
Skipping these fundamentals forces the body to compensate, which eventually leads to breakdown and injury. It’s not about maxing out on weights—it’s about mastering control.
Master the basics now = fewer injuries later.
Strength Training: What Parents Need to Know
We get it…”strength training” can sound intimidating. Many parents worry about stunting growth or overtraining. But research consistently shows that when supervised and age-appropriate, strength training is one of the best tools for injury prevention and performance.
✅ Fact: Proper strength training supports healthy growth and improves performance.
❌ Myth: It stunts growth or damages joints.
For youth athletes, strength training focuses on:
• Building joint stability and motor control
• Learning proper technique and posture
• Enhancing speed, power, and coordination
• Reducing risk of common injuries (ankle sprains, knee pain, shoulder issues)
We emphasize movement competency over load—because strength without control doesn’t last.
Growing Pains vs. Real Injuries
Not all pain is created equal. Some discomfort is normal during growth spurts, but knowing the difference between growing pains and a true injury is critical.
➤ Check out our Instagram post on this
Typical Growing Pains
– Symmetrical (both legs or arms)
– Dull, achy pain
– Occurs after activity, not during
– No swelling, redness, or loss of function
Signs of a Real Injury
– Sharp, localized pain
– Swelling or bruising
– Pain worsens with movement or weight-bearing
– Pain that interrupts sleep or affects performance
When in doubt, don’t guess. A movement screen or evaluation with a sports PT for kids and teens can catch issues early and keep small problems from becoming major setbacks.
How Physical Therapy and Sports Performance Support Young Athletes
At UNITE.rehab.perform, we combine physical therapy and sports performance training for youth near Denver, CO to support both recovery and growth. Every athlete gets individualized attention—not cookie-cutter programs.
Here’s how we help:
Movement screening & posture analysis
Catching red flags like shoulder mobility issues or core instability early
Customized corrective exercises
Improving control, posture, and coordination
Strength & movement development
Teaching control before adding load or intensity
Injury rehab & return-to-sport
Rebuilding smarter, not just faster
Education for parents & athletes
Giving families the tools to make smart training decisions
We’re athletes ourselves. We know what it’s like to compete. And we know what it takes to stay in the game.
Final Thoughts:
Keep Playing. Keep Progressing.
Parents:
Supporting your child’s athletic journey isn’t just about more camps or lessons. It’s about helping them move well, stay strong, and recover properly.
Athletes:
Don’t wait until something hurts. Investing in smart movement and strength now pays off for seasons (and years) to come
Want to Keep Your Athlete Off the Sidelines?
UNITE offers movement assessments, youth performance training, and physical therapy for young athletes in Thornton, CO. Whether your sport is running, volleyball, tennis, or equestrian, we’ll help build the foundation your body needs to thrive.
Schedule a Youth Movement Assessment and let’s set your athlete up for long-term success.
And don’t forget to check out our [Instagram exercises post] to see some of our favorite movement prep drills for youth athletes!