Releasing

For some, fitness and athleticism come naturally. But if your child is interested in more sedentary activities, it doesn’t mean they will not perform well in sports; it just means they need to take time to develop, train, and learn new skills.

I have been a chiropractor for years, and along with that education, I also received my strength and conditioning certification to help me understand the rehab process. This training led me to work with athletes, young and old, and of all abilities, which is why I am a proponent of helping kids of all ages understand the benefit of being active. While this certainly pertains to kids in school-sponsored sports or rec programs, every person can benefit from adding fitness into their life. And the summer is the perfect time to start by allowing them to get outside.

Here are a few ideas for kids of various ages:

• Toddlers: Allow them to experience their bodies in free open space to become athletic. It’s never too early for your child to run, jump, play, or throw a ball. You don’t need to teach them; allow them to explore and play.

• Elementary school: Opportunities for organized sports begin, allowing kids to learn the skills of the sport. For parents, this is the time to teach your kids other basic movements, like squats and hinges, and plyometrics, where you use speed and force to build muscle. Learning these foundational skills early on can help the actions become natural before their body changes as they age.

• Middle and high school: When school is out for the summer or your athlete is in their off-season, continuing with training is imperative to maintain their progress and build skills. You can find summer camps and training programs or talk with your athlete’s coach to find a trainer to work with them all year round. Even if their goal isn’t to become the next sports star, regular performance training can help with strength, injury prevention, speed, and agility. l