Injuries associated to growth spurts

[WARPWOODIE]

Fifteen year old Laura Robson, winner of last year's junior Wimbledon, was reported to have taken some 3 months off to prevent injuries that can come as a result of a growth spurts. Are injuries a common occurence, even in other sports, when bones and muscles develop with junior players? I'm asking as this question since this is the first time I've heard of someone actually taking a break/rest due to a period in growth.

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Fifteen year old Laura Robson, winner of last year's junior Wimbledon, was reported to have taken some 3 months off to prevent injuries that can come as a result of a growth spurts. Are injuries a common occurence, even in other sports, when bones and muscles develop with junior players? I'm asking as this question since this is the first time I've heard of someone actually taking a break/rest due to a period in growth.

Search for Oshgood Schlatter disease, both on this forum and in general.

I have no idea what Laura has...so I'm not saying she has OS. My understanding for OS is that you can continue to play as long as it doesn't flair up. But it would mean dramatically reducing the amount of training time on a daily basis.

[jrod]

^^^ Osgood Schlater is just one of many potential issues. For the record, OS is not necessarily related to growth spurts however often the condition can go away on its own over time. My daughter has it and had to stop competing in gymnastics. That was over 4 years ago and the condition still has not fully resolved itself.

I know of many juniors who have suffered back problems due to growth spurts, my son included. He had to take several weeks off to avoid injury. A hitting partner of his was not so lucky and ended up fracturing one of his vertebrates and was forced to take 3 months off with a back brace. The bottom line is it is far more prudent to take time off to allow the body to grow into it's frame rather than risk an injury that could alter your ability to play competitive sports in the future.

[TennisTaxi]

My son had a terrible problem with his hips at about 14 after he grew about 4 inches. After playing for ten minutes he would be in horrible pain. Apparently he had adult size hips but not adult size muscles to support the hips. He was talught some core strengthening exercises and that was able to help but it took about 6 months to get through it.

I know a bunch of soccer kids who have Oshgood Schlatter disease..the knee problem that is aggravated by running.

[TennisCoachFLA]

A great resource is "Total Training for Young Champions" by Tudor Bompa. He takes kids from age 6 to 18 and lays out programs to avoid injuries. The book tells how to design training from a young age, build a solid foundation to avoid the injuries through the growing periods. It covers all aspects from flexibility, core training, strength, and speed.

[ClarkC]

A great resource is "Total Training for Young Champions" by Tudor Bompa. He takes kids from age 6 to 18 and lays out programs to avoid injuries. The book tells how to design training from a young age, build a solid foundation to avoid the injuries through the growing periods. It covers all aspects from flexibility, core training, strength, and speed.

Thanks for the tip. This book seems to have nothing but high recommendations and reviews online.

[a_2c+]

damn. thank genetics i am short. :P

[tenniscrazed]

A great resource is "Total Training for Young Champions" by Tudor Bompa. He takes kids from age 6 to 18 and lays out programs to avoid injuries. The book tells how to design training from a young age, build a solid foundation to avoid the injuries through the growing periods. It covers all aspects from flexibility, core training, strength, and speed.


This book was referred to me by another individual. The fact that you recommend it as well will give me the motivation to get it. Thanks.

[TennisCoachFLA]

This book was referred to me by another individual. The fact that you recommend it as well will give me the motivation to get it. Thanks.

Appreciate the kind words tenniscrazed. The author is really down on early specialization. His goal is to have kids peak at the right age for their sport and be as injury 'proof' as possible.

[SmAsH999]

I've grown 4 inches in the past year or so, and I've had several issues with tendinitis. My coach says it's due to my growing, and that the muscles in my knees couldn't support my longer legs.

[Tennis_Maniac]

This exact thing happened to me. I was forced to take a break from tennis for three months also. The growth plates and rotator cuff in my right shoulder was growing too rapidly, and if I continued to play I risked losing the ability to play forever. Rest can really help when a teenager is growing, and the break even helped my tennis game by resetting my playing style!

[TennisCoachFLA]

I've grown 4 inches in the past year or so, and I've had several issues with tendinitis. My coach says it's due to my growing, and that the muscles in my knees couldn't support my longer legs.

Ouch, brings back memories. As a kid I used to get the worse knee pain during growth spurts. But before you know it time will fly by, you will hit 40 and long for those good old days when everything doesn't hurt after a match!

[WARPWOODIE]

Just out of curiosity...is there more concern for injuries with kids having spurts before puberty vs. one undergoing a spurt during puberty stage? Reason for the question is that younger kids, say 8-12 year old, their bones are more maleable than those who are in the 13-18 years.

[SmAsH999]

Ouch, brings back memories. As a kid I used to get the worse knee pain during growth spurts. But before you know it time will fly by, you will hit 40 and long for those good old days when everything doesn't hurt after a match!

haha, well, I can agree that I'll miss these good times. :-)

[tennisguyak]

I always seem to have what seems like O.S. flare up during the colder months. Its a sharp stinging pain right underneath the knee caps and is very annoying/painful when playing.

I understand why she would take a few months off if its flaring up and actually hurting her, but if nothings wrong then keep playing, b/c it always seems to start hurting at the worst moments and it'll come eventually anyways.

[Rod Laver II]

You can have problems with your patella also. I couldn't bend down on my serve.

[subaru3169]

when i was a junior, my back would hurt if i played more than one match a day.. kinda sucked while playing tourneys but i was able to play through it