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We love it when our customers show up in the news! So we had to highlight this story where Chad Gabbard, athletic training manager at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital, discussed sports injury prevention and the importance of safety for young athletes.
In the pursuit of athletic excellence and sports participation, the safety of young athletes often emerges as a huge concern.
With increasing numbers of children specializing in a single sport at an early age, the instances of overuse injuries have spiked.
Ascension St. Vincent in Carmel is among the front runners addressing this issue head-on, emphasizing safety protocols and injury prevention for student athletes.
Zionsville High School is a shining testament to the hospital’s commitment. Stationed at the school are three dedicated Athletic Trainers, professionals tasked with the prevention and immediate care of sports-related injuries. And the initiative isn’t confined to high schools alone; middle schools in Carmel also boast full-time ATs.
Gabbard brings a wealth of expertise and insight to the discussion. In a WishTV video interview, he underscores the challenge – the rising trend of early sports specialization.
“You have kids that specialize at such a young age, leading to overuse injuries we never saw before.”
This is not a call to talk athletes out of pursuing their passion, but a prompt to diversify. Gabbard shares the sentiment of many coaches who also favor multi-sport athletes.
The rationale is straightforward – engaging in various sports enriches athletes’ movement patterns, enhancing their overall physical development and reducing the risk of overuse injuries.
But the conversation doesn’t end with diversification. The equipment, often an overlooked aspect, plays a pivotal role in injury prevention. Gabbard urges parents to outfit their children with top-tier, appropriate sporting gear. Helmets, mouth guards, padding – each piece is integral to comprehensive safety.
He feels this approach to youth sports safety combines the expertise of Athletic Trainers, the vigilance of parents, and the adaptability of young athletes. It’s a collaborative effort aiming to strike a balance between the passion for sports and the imperatives of physical safety.
In a world where the next star athlete could be nurtured in any neighborhood, Ascension St. Vincent Hospital and supportive communities like Carmel are laying the groundwork for a future where talent flourishes, and hopefully more injuries can be prevented.
