How to Support and Protect Young Athletes with Dr. Derrick Burgess

Are we doing enough to ensure our young athletes are truly protected and supported on their journey?

When it comes to sports, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of the game and overlook important health aspects. The thrill of competition, the adrenaline rush of scoring points, and the camaraderie with teammates often take center stage. However, maintaining proper health practices is crucial not only for peak performance but also for long-term well-being.

One of the most overlooked aspects of sports is injury prevention. While many athletes focus on building strength and improving skills, they may fail to prioritize essential things like preparing their physical and mental health for the demands of the sports. Hence, parents must play an active role in ensuring that their children are taking the necessary steps to stay safe and healthy. Remember, prioritizing health in all its forms is the key to sustainable success on and off the field.

Rebecca Turner, MS, RDN, LD is an author, registered dietitian nutritionist, radio host, television presenter, and board certified in Lifestyle Medicine (DipACLM). She offers no-nonsense nutrition guidance through print, TV, and radio, challenging the world’s version of wellness. You will find her on social media and the radio talking about meaningful things, with interesting people, underscoring there is more to good health (and life) than weight loss.

In this episode, I'll share key insights from my recent interview on the "Good Things" podcast with Rebecca Turner. We talked about sports medicine, focusing on issues like heat exhaustion and overuse injuries in young athletes. I also offered practical tips for parents on handling sports-related pain and injuries in kids, and highlighted the importance of proper medical evaluations and athletic trainers. This episode provides valuable insights for parents, coaches, and sports fans to support and protect young athletes. Tune in to learn how to better manage and prevent common sports-related issues and ensure the well-being of young athletes.

"It's easy to hurt yourself if you're not in good shape." – Dr. Derrick Burgess

Topics Covered:

(00:00:25) Podcast beyond monetary gains

(00:03:30) Difference between pain and injury in youth sports

(00:04:34) Heat exhaustion and overuse injuries

(00:07:07) The difficulty of assessing pain in children

(00:09:11) When to seek medical attention for child’s sports injury

(00:11:52) Physicians on the sideline

(00:14:40) How to spot a concussion after a fall or accident

(00:17:23) The second impact syndrome

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(00:19:28) Why parents should complete kids' medical forms

(00:21:18) Can soccer headers cause concussions?

(00:22:14) Understanding knee pain

(00:25:22) Nutrition is important

(00:27:08) Regular hydration beats last-minute drinking

(00:30:37) Friday clinic

(00:32:04) Deal with the weight of diagnosis

(00:33:13) How Dr. Burgess decided on a career in Sports Medicine

(00:34:48) Where to connect to Dr. Derrick Burgess

Key Takeaways:

"Sharing your story not only helps others but also shows how much you’ve overcome to reach where you are today."– Dr. Derrick Burgess

"You need to observe your kids when they don't know you're observing them, and that tells you a lot."– Dr. Derrick Burgess

"You never know when an injury is going to happen, and sometimes it can be a life-threatening situation that you have to act on quickly."– Dr. Derrick Burgess

"If you see a hard collision, somebody needs to check out those athletes because a hard collision can lead to a concussion."– Dr. Derrick Burgess

"Just because you've already had a history of multiple concussions and you got over them, it doesn't mean that they won't still impact your future."– Dr. Derrick Burgess

"So, I think the athlete has to be able to mentally deal with the daunting aspects of their situation before they can deal with an injury." – Dr. Derrick Burgess

Connect with Rebecca Turner:

Website: https://rebeccaturnernutrition.com/

Email: rebeccaturnernutrition@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaTurnerTalks/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaturnertalks/

Twitter: https://x.com/RebeccaTurnerRD

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SuperTalkMississippi

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Nzu07JB8i9rcY58I70SbV

Other Websites: https://www.supertalk.fm/shows/goodthings/

Connect with Dr. Derrick Burgess:

Website: https://www.drderrickthesportsdr.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drderrickthesportsdr/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TimeOut.SportsDr

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrick-burgess-72047b246/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHGDu1zT4K_X6PnYELu8weg

Email: thesportsdoctr@gmail.com

This episode of TimeOut with the SportsDr. is produced by Podcast VAs Philippines - the team that helps podcasters effectively launch and manage their podcasts, so we don't have to. Record, share, and repeat! Podcast VAs PH gives me back my time so I can focus on the core functions of my business. Need expert help with your podcast? Go to www.podcastvasph.com.