School-aged athletes, whether participants in organized sports programs, physical education classes, or community intramural activities, have special physical needs that require different coaching, conditioning, and medical care than most mature athletes. Sports and rehabilitation physicians are the specialists when it comes to the medical care of these young athletes.
These medical doctors are experienced in helping to restore function to their patients, including diagnosing and treating sports injuries. "There are marked differences in coordination, strength and stamina between children and adults. In young athletes, bone-tendon-muscle units, growth areas within bones, and ligaments experience uneven growth patterns, leaving them susceptible to injury. That's why it's important for coaches, parents, and players to provide protection for the young athlete through proper conditioning, prompt treatment of injuries, and rehabilitation programs.
