Be Unstoppable, Play Safe and Stay Strong

Fox Valley Orthopedics Champions Awareness Campaign to Help Young Athletes Stay in the Game for Life

As a new season of outdoor sports begins, the KC Chronicle, Fox Valley Orthopedics, and the Kane County Cougars have once again joined forces with the STOP Sports Injury campaign. They’re kicking into high gear this sports season with a new theme; Be Unstoppable, Play Safe and Stay Strong…all in an effort to encourage kids to stay in the game of sports for life.

Watch for monthly columns from Fox Valley Orthopedics’ (FVO) sports medicine physicians – as well as tips on how to Be Unstoppable this sports season – in the newspaper and social media. And this summer, FVO will be launching its comeback athlete award, to share inspiring stories of an athlete who has returned from injury and adversity.

To kick off the baseball season, here are several quick prevention tips from FVO’s sports medicine surgeon, Dr. Kevan Ketterling, who just returned from spring training with the KC Cougars in Arizona, where each player was given a pre-season physical:

• Prepare to play with a pre-season physical exam to help identify potential health problems such as allergies, asthma, heart, or orthopedic conditions.
• Wear properly fitting, position- and gender-specific equipment.
• Balance your daily exercise regimen by incorporating cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and flexibility.
• Warm-up and stretch before every game with easy calisthenics, such as jumping jacks, a light running of the bases, and gradual throwing…be sure to gently stretch your back, hamstrings, and shoulders.
• Be well-rounded…scouts look for athletes who are adept at cross-training.
• Ensure a safe environment by inspecting the playing field for holes, divots, glass, and/or other debris.
• Mix it up…play a variety of positions, and never play year-round.
• Cool down after playing with gentle stretching to prepare your body for the game, and make recovery from exercise easier.

The campaign provides meaningful and relevant information to the community about the rapid increase in youth sports injuries, the necessary steps to help reverse the trend, and the vital growing need to keep young athletes healthy. Visit www.fvortho-goplay.com for leading information on sports medicine or www.stopsportsinjuries.com. Now is the perfect time to get in the game and help our youth play safe and stay strong. If you are interested in having one of our sports medicine physicians speak to your school, team, or organization, please call Brittany Moran @ (630) 524-0169.