It is likely the only thing that will be on my TV for the entire 16 days!

Even though we don’t get a lot of snow and cold weather here in Fort Worth, many kids in Texas are able to partake in winter sports. Sometimes this is at a local indoor skating rink, and sometimes we travel to the ski slopes. However, the wintery fun can bring injuries along with it. In fact, research shows that 3.8 million people in the U.S. experienced an injury while participating in a winter sport in 2013. The most common injuries include concussions, ACL tears, ankle and wrist sprains, strains, shoulder and elbow dislocations and broken bones.

There are several things that you can do to prevent winter sports injuries, should the Winter Olympics leave your child feeling inspired. Here are some tips:

Use the proper equipment:

• Wear a helmet! Look for a helmet with a hard outer shell, a shock absorbing layer, and fits appropriately without impacting your vision.
• Inspect your skis or snowboard. Make sure that the edges have been properly sharpened and there is an appropriate wax on the underside.
• Make sure you have well fitted ski or snowboard boots. They should be snug. If you aren’t sure, be sure to ask a pro at the rental shop or ski store.
• Get fitted for the proper ice skates if you are playing hockey or going ice skating.
• Don’t forget about other safety gear such as goggles and pads!

Dress for the weather:

• Choose base layers, such as long sleeve shirts and long underwear, that are loose fitting, breathable, and made of synthetic material. This will allow them to wick sweat away from your skin, helping you to stay warm and dry.
• Long wool socks are the best for skiing and snowboarding, but don’t double up your socks. This actually makes the socks rub together and tends to give you uncomfortable blisters on your feet.
• Don’t forget your sunscreen! You can get a sunburn even on the slopes.

Warm up your body:

• It’s cold outside! Get moving before you skate or ski!
• Get your heart rate up by doing jumping jacks or jogging in place.
• Stretch your arms and legs by doing arm circles, upper body twists, squats, and lunges.
• Start with several slow laps around the skating rink or an easier ski slope to get your legs under you before you get going.

Learn from a pro:

• Take a lesson, or several, from a qualified instructor. They can teach you the rules of the rink or slopes, as well as how to fall correctly.
• Be sure to learn the basics. It is important that you can skate safely before you can play hockey. You also have to know how to safely turn and get on and off a chair lift before you can head up the hill on your skis or snowboard.

Know your limits:

• If you are cold or exhausted, take a break! Let your body rest and then get back to the fun.
• Remember that you don’t have to follow the crowd. If everyone else is hitting a double black diamond, you can always take a hot cocoa break if you don’t feel up to it!

So let the Winter Olympics inspire you to have some fun this year, but stay safe while you are out there!

About the author

Jacky Arrow, PT, DPT, SCS, is a physical therapist for the SPORTS program at Cook Children's. The Cook Children's Sports Performance Orthopedic Rehab Team Specialists (SPORTS) program offers care to children and adolescents with orthopedic or sports-related injuries. If your child gets injured and needs medical care, it's very important to choose a program that has experience working with the growing dynamics of your child's body to prevent further injury. Click here to learn more about the program or call 866-205-7270 to make an appointment.

The 19 year old’s defeat of Efimova was not only a matter of national pride, but serves a teaching moment for children everywhere about doing things the right way. Efimova had served a 16-month suspension for doping from late 2013 to early 2015. Russia has been under heavy scrutiny since its track and field team was banned following a state-sponsored doping program.

“It’s incredible, just winning a gold medal, and knowing I did it clean,” King said after her victory.

Joel Steelman, M.D., an endocrinologist at Cook Children’s, hopes young people watched and listened to King.

A survey in 2014 by the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids found that 11 percent of teens in grades 9-12 reported “ever having used” synthetic human growth hormone without a prescription.

The U.S. Department of Health’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey, published in 2012, stated that about 3.2 percent or 640,000 high school athletes, both boys and girls, had tried steroids at least once.

Dr. Steelman said what has happened to the Russian Olympic team is a perfect example of why kids use performance enhancing drugs (PED). They want a competitive edge in sports, hoping they can be a star athlete and make it to college or pros.

Another reason for taking PEDs is the body image factor. A kid may be looking for a shortcut to achieve that idealized body – more muscular or lean.

Dr. Steelman said symptoms of PED use may be subtle, but there are signs:

• The body change is the most obvious one – a more muscular appearance.
• A growth spurt in height may occur in younger kids as natural androgens produced by the body in puberty lead to a growth spurt.
• Dramatic slowing in height gain occurs later, post puberty, because one of the effects of these drugs is closing the growth plates more rapidly.
• Acne and other skin changes in both boys and girls.
• Facial and other body hair may occur for both boys and girls.
• Mood changes – anger, moody, etc.

Dr. Steelman said parents should be looking for these red flags, especially changes in temper and behavior. He also advises parents to watch for obsessiveness about sports, competition and body image.

When talking to your children, Dr. Steelman suggests reminding them that performance enhancing drugs are illegal and can cause serious damage to their health. Steroids and other PEDs are harmful to the body both in the short term but also longer term risk:

• Growth stunting
• Impacts on fertility
• Risk for liver disease/tumors
• Increased blood clotting/stroke risk

“The achievement of athletes like Lilly King is a great example to young people,” Dr. Steelman said. “I hope parents take this opportunity to talk with their kids. They should know that they can still achieve their goals by doing things the right way.”

Photos from USA Swimming. 

About the author

Joel Steelman, M.D., is an endocrinologist at the Cook Children's Endocrine and Diabetes program, which treats infants, children and teens with conditions that are caused by or affect the hormonal balance of the body. We understand the importance of working together and that's how we approach the care of our children.