Why Youth Sports Are Important Now

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This month we at Goldsmith Podiatry will be celebrating National Youth Sports Week from July 19-23rd. Participating in sports is an excellent way for our Manhattan children to get regular physical activity—something we’re very much in favor of because of the many benefits it has for your child’s podiatric and overall health. Coming off over a year of pandemic lockdowns, many children are less active than ever. Attending school from home and avoiding public settings has resulted in children becoming more sedentary. Sports can provide a needed opportunity to get moving again. In addition, playing a sport offers other benefits, including:

  • Improved focus, concentration, and memory can positively impact academic performance

  • Higher levels of self-esteem and confidence

  • Helps maintain a healthy weight

  • Development of important interpersonal skills like teamwork, relationship building, and leadership

  • Chance for social interaction with peers and adults

  • Improves sleep quality

  • Better moods and reduced risk for mental health problems like depression

Help Your Child Find the Right Sport

There’s a sports activity for every child. Below are some tips for helping your child find an activity they’ll enjoy.

  • First, dispel stereotype notions that your child has to be athletic or competitive.

  • Ask your child if they want to play a team sport like baseball or soccer or if they prefer to do something more individual like skateboarding or ice skating.

  • Encourage your child to try a variety of sports throughout the year.

  • Keep the competition to a minimum, at least initially. Remember, the goal is to get your child moving and having fun.

  • Make sports a family affair. Riding bikes together, hiking or swimming are all ways to enjoy some fun, active time together.

Play Healthy

Encourage your child to listen to their body and make sure the program they are participating in is safe. All exercise should start with education on the correct way to move for a particular sport. Practice sessions and games should begin with appropriate stretching. Never support a “no pain, no gain” mentality. If your child experiences pain in their feet and ankles associated with a new activity, contact our Upper West Side office by calling 212-877-1002 to our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith and Dr. Rosanna Troia can examine your child’s feet to rule out a sports injury or other podiatric condition.

Sports Injuries, Pediatric Foot CareGoldsmith Podiatrynational youth sports week, sports, youth sports