GROWTH: THE FORGOTTEN ELEMENT OF YOUTH COACHING
How Does Growth Work?
•Several periods of rapid growth will occur during a child’s life time between the ages of 0-21 depending on the individuals’ level of maturity. Some children will have reached their end height stature by 12 while others may still be growing at 21.
The average age at which peak height velocity (or peak growth occurs is around the age of 11-15. During this time the child will experience many changes both physically and emotionally which can have an impact not just on their sporting activities but other areas of their life.
•Significantly growth occurs in a ‘saltatory’ action e.g. it starts and stops which varies from individual to individual
•Growth occurs usually within a 24hr window and it has been reported levels of up to of up to 1 inch can occur resulting in obvious biomechanical, physiology and emotional symptoms.
Growth and Injury
The most significant impact growth may have on any sporting child is injury
•Rapidly adapting/developing body + high loads = increased rates of injury
•Bone grows quicker than muscles, tendons and ligaments can keep up with, so muscle/tendon tightness occurs. This can lead to increased muscle strains and traction where muscles attach to bones e.g. Severs disease, Osgood Schlatter’s Disease.
•Legs can grow at different rates = leg length discrepancies and the obvious biomechanically issues that this may lead to. Which will not only make the individual more susceptible to injury but also have an impact or their co-ordination and technical ability.
Other common Effects of Growth
•Fatigue
•Mood swings
•Lack of concentration
•Increased tiredness and appetite
•Altered sleep patterns
•Decreased motivation
Russ Wrigley
is Head of Academy Sports Science and Medicine at
Blackburn Rovers Football Club and also works at
Denise Park Chartered Physiotherapists
29 Peel St, Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 1NH
Tel: 01200 423181