Kids Scoliosis - Tennis?

[AlexTennis]

Hi,
My son, who just turned to 7, is very talented in tennis and he loves tennis a lot. When I hit with him, people passing by stop and watch him playing.

The problem is that my son asks me to play tennis everyday after work. I'm worrying too severe work out can be harmful to his health. (Recently I come across the fact that James Blake started tennis when he was 5 and he was suffering from scoliosis for a long time.) Is playing tennis for an hour 3 to 4 times a week can develop scoliosis for very young kids? What is the proper amount of time for kids in playing tennis? Any suggestions?

 

[LuckyR]

Tennis is not a known cause of scoliosis, I wouldn't limit tennis playing for that particular reason.

 

[habib]

Hi,
My son, who just turned to 7, is very talented in tennis and he loves tennis a lot. When I hit with him, people passing by stop and watch him playing.

The problem is that my son asks me to play tennis everyday after work. I'm worrying too severe work out can be harmful to his health. (Recently I come across the fact that James Blake started tennis when he was 5 and he was suffering from scoliosis for a long time.) Is playing tennis for an hour 3 to 4 times a week can develop scoliosis for very young kids? What is the proper amount of time for kids in playing tennis? Any suggestions?

If he doesn't have scoliosis to start with, tennis shouldn't develop it. Mind you, tennis can develop other physical problems, but I've never heard of it actually causing scoliosis, which is typically genetic (though posture can certainly have an affect). That said, 3-4 1 hour sessions per week should be fine.

 

[BravoRed691]

Whew...you got me worried there, thought your kid actual got scoliosis from playing tennis (from reading the title)

Br

 

[TonLars]

lol, doing physical activity is certainly not going to cause a condition like scoliosis. Certain training and weight lifting at too young an age can be harmful for growth, bones and joints. Lots of little kids are doing all kinds of sports and activities, it is definitely a good thing physically.

 

[BullDogTennis]

he should be fine, the james blake thing is just kinda a freakish thing to happen, ( he also had that condition on his face, whatever its called) is that from tennis? parents enroll there kids in baseball and little league and other teams usually practice at least 2 days a week, and then have games 2 days a week, and then throw with the kids the other days and it doesnt hurt them.

Tennis should be fine on the kid, he's young and has lots of energy, id be more worried about you having to play everynight

 

[Pusher]

Hi,
My son, who just turned to 7, is very talented in tennis and he loves tennis a lot. When I hit with him, people passing by stop and watch him playing.

The problem is that my son asks me to play tennis everyday after work. I'm worrying too severe work out can be harmful to his health. (Recently I come across the fact that James Blake started tennis when he was 5 and he was suffering from scoliosis for a long time.) Is playing tennis for an hour 3 to 4 times a week can develop scoliosis for very young kids? What is the proper amount of time for kids in playing tennis? Any suggestions?

I've learned more about tennis injuries than I ever wanted to know. 3-4 hours a week is not bad until it turns into 10-12 hours a week-it happens.

My son will play D-1 tennis this fall and he has a chronic back problem (stenosis), one leg is shorter than the other and one arm is smaller than the other-all the result of playing a one-sided sport. Most serious tennis players will have these problems-or at least some of them. On the plus side he is in great shape and will play the sport for his entire life-I think the benefits outweigh the negatives.

Starting at 7 you can do it the right way. Take a season off from tennis each year-play basketball during the winter for example, or join the swim team or play soccer. Your son will be a better tennis player in the long term.

 

[BallBeemer]

Really. Many of the people up here have some really good point. Your son at 7 has a lot of energy. Help him spend it so he won't be so hyper. If he really is talented I would say enroll him in some group lessons if you can consider it. Meeting other people can help him become better. Sorry, off topic but 4 hours a week if fine. As long as it is not 4 hours a day in that week.

 

[Julieta]

I've learned more about tennis injuries than I ever wanted to know. 3-4 hours a week is not bad until it turns into 10-12 hours a week-it happens.

My son will play D-1 tennis this fall and he has a chronic back problem (stenosis), one leg is shorter than the other and one arm is smaller than the other-all the result of playing a one-sided sport. Most serious tennis players will have these problems-or at least some of them. On the plus side he is in great shape and will play the sport for his entire life-I think the benefits outweigh the negatives.

Starting at 7 you can do it the right way. Take a season off from tennis each year-play basketball during the winter for example, or join the swim team or play soccer. Your son will be a better tennis player in the long term.

Is your son doing pilates? I think it really helps with back injuires and rebalancing the body. Not to mention the core strength benefits which are good for tennis of course. Some studios will let you work with an apprentice instructor which can help lower the cost. I was lucky that I knew a dancer who was into it. Unfortunately it does not help all problems but it is very good for back and core. He's going to have to be really careful in college, some of uni courts are so hard. They want the courts to last a long time to save money so some of the surfaces are just awful. I think it is worse now than it used to be.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Hi,
My son, who just turned to 7, is very talented in tennis and he loves tennis a lot. When I hit with him, people passing by stop and watch him playing.

The problem is that my son asks me to play tennis everyday after work. I'm worrying too severe work out can be harmful to his health. (Recently I come across the fact that James Blake started tennis when he was 5 and he was suffering from scoliosis for a long time.) Is playing tennis for an hour 3 to 4 times a week can develop scoliosis for very young kids? What is the proper amount of time for kids in playing tennis? Any suggestions?

Man, if my kid was knocking on my door to play tennis, we would be out there as often as we could.

Just make sure you provide some days off, maintains his flexibility, warms-up properly, and has fun.

Way-ta-go Dad. Go for it.

 

[Deleted member 25923]

I hope I can still play tennis when i'm older. i don't want to drop it totally cuz of work.