Training right key to success
As Shannon Cohen massaged Emma Bucheli’s muscles, she noted that stiffness in the thighs is one of the immediate results from exertion among young athletes, particularly those who had just completed the triathlon held Aug. 2 at Settler’s Cabin Park.
“Mostly, it’s tightness in the hamstrings,” explained the therapist. “Nothing major,” she added. “Usually, you don’t have to worry about kids overdoing it.”
With the advent of another scholastic sports season, student-athletes would be well advised to heed Cohen’s advice.
“Stretch before and after exercise. Train preferably for an event than just jumping into it. Eat a well-balanced diet, one with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Drink plenty of water,” she said.
Cohen knows a thing or two about sports and her recommendations. At Thomas Jefferson High School, she competed in track, golf, tennis and basketball. Today, she runs, participating in half-marathons specifically. After completing her degrees at the Universities of Pittsburgh and Miami, Cohen moved to McMurray and embarked on a career working at Keystone Physical Therapy in Bethel Park.
“I love my job. Getting to know all different types of people and helping them,” she said. “It’s not all athletes. It’s knee replacements and hips, too.”
While Cohen notes that knee injuries and ankle sprains are common afflictions in basketball, she anticipates a rise in shin splints as cross-country and soccer fuel up this fall. That type of injury is common early in the season because of all the running.
“Stretching and training,” Cohen said, reduces such flare-ups. Low intensity and building up distance and endurance will enable you to go farther, she added. “Often injuries come from doing too much, too soon.”
Regardless of how much training an athlete puts into preparing for the season, some aches and pains are unavoidable. Football, said Cohen, is one such example. “Concussions are a big concern. They mostly occur in football. They are so hard to prevent even with properly fitting helmets.”
Preventing heat-related injuries is so critical that the PIAA has adopted acclimatization policies and football teams will run “mini-camps” Aug. 10-14 to adjust to the weather before full fall contact drills commence Aug. 17. Additionally, the WPIAL has partnered with UPMC and offers tips and advice on its website. Visit www.wpial.org.