Resources and Education

Concussion Fact Sheets

Learn more about what to expect after your child or teen had a recent concussion. 

Heel Pain: Sever's Disease

What is Sever’s? Why does it happen? Can my child keep participating in sports? What is the treatment for Sever’s Disease?

Hydration

Not getting enough water can have a big impact on not just your athletic performance, but also on your health. When you start an activity, be sure you go into the activity hydrated, stay hydrated during and replace losses afterward.

Injury Prevention Programs for the Community

The Washington University and St. Louis Children’s Young Athlete Center has developed a series of interactive injury prevention and educational programs designed to help improve the overall health of young athletes.  We offer the programs to private groups of 15 or more, taught at the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Specialty Care Center - West County or at the group’s requested location.

Knee Pain in Kids

Knee pain is one of the most common problems in teens and preteens. Learn more from a sports medicine specialist about how to treat your child’s knee pain to keep them in the game. 

Locations to Access Pediatric Orthopedic Emergency Care

When your child is injured, St. Louis Child’s Hospital and Washington University physicians have expert pediatric orthopedic care across the St. Louis area. 

Overuse Injuries in Youth Baseball

The competitive nature of youth baseball drives young players to compete year-round. The result? An increased risk for overuse injuries -- especially in baseball pitchers.

Race Day Tips

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned runner, these helpful tips will get you ready for the race from a week before, right up to the starting line.

Should Child Athletes Lift Weights?

Before a child begins strength training, parents should know all the benefits and risks. Learn more about the Do’s and Don’ts for strength training. 

Strength Training

Strength training can help young athletes increase strength
and overall health when performed in a safe, supervised
environment. By focusing more on proper technique and less on
the amount of resistance, the benefits of youth strength training
far outweigh the risks.

Thrower's Exercises

The Young Athlete Center has created a booklet of 20 throwing exercises to increase muscular strength in baseball pitchers, and to help athletes avoid injury. These exercises strengthen the major muscles necessary for pitching and throwing a baseball, focusing on the rotator cuff muscles, upper arm and muscles which control the shoulder blade. 

Youth Sports Specialization

Learn more about the drawbacks of your young athlete specializing in one sport

Runner's 10 Exercise Program

The Children's Runners 10 program is a stretching program developed by Washington University pediatric sports medicine specialists at the Young Athlete Center.  The program focuses on 10 stretching and strengthening exercises designed to improve flexibility, strength and endurance of the muscles used for running.