For a young athlete, the “grind” can start early. Between school sports, travel teams, and private coaching, the physical demand on a developing body is higher than ever. At this stage, the goal isn’t just to win the next game—it’s to build a body that can perform for life.

The Reality of Overuse Injuries

Overuse injuries happen when the repetitive stress on bones and joints outpaces the body’s ability to recover. In youth athletes, this often manifests at growth plates—the areas of developing cartilage at the ends of long bones. When we hear about “growing pains,” it is often actually a sign that the mechanical load on the body is exceeding its current structural foundation.

The Three Pillars of Youth Resilience

To keep young athletes in the game, the focus must shift toward three specific areas of physical development:

• Biomechanical Efficiency: Analyzing how an athlete moves, jumps, and lands to reduce the unnecessary “tax” placed on the joints.

• Load Management: Balancing high-intensity play with strategic recovery to prevent the cumulative fatigue that leads to injury.

• Structural Foundation: Focusing on core stability, joint mobility, and age-appropriate strength training before adding speed and power.

Navigating the Growth Spurt

During a growth spurt, bones often grow faster than muscles and tendons can stretch. This creates tension and a temporary loss of coordination—often called the “awkward phase.” This is the most critical time for performance-based therapy. Instead of sitting on the sidelines, athletes can use this time to focus on mobility and eccentric loading to help their soft tissue “catch up” to their bone growth.

Keeping Them in the Game

Our mission is to ensure that “injury prevention” doesn’t mean “doing less.” It means moving better. By identifying risks before they become “tweaks” or “strains,” we empower youth athletes to play with confidence and longevity.

 

Register for Youth Performance Training

Fill out the form below to connect with Coach Andrew Nuno and our performance team. We will help you navigate the best path forward for your athlete’s longevity.