Athletes: A little help?

drink lots of water and powerade/gatorade, tell him good luck! oh, these work also to replenish the body:
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Some Advil should help with the leg pain.

 

Protein helps to rebuild muscles - maybe have him drink a shake a day a few hours before practice.


And got this off of yahoo answers after a quick google search:

If it is your calves that are sore, then there is a very good chance that you have some changes that you need to make with your running mechanics. You need to run more on the balls of your feet with the heels just grazing the ground. If you have too much heel strike you can cause stress fractures and knee issues.

For just general soreness, you should do ice baths after practice. You can either fill up the tub with ice water and submerge your entire lower body which is going to be intense, but will have good results. Or you can take a small trash can that when you fill with ice water will cover up to your lower calves.

Here are the steps:

Step 1: Immediately after a hard run, race, or long run, fill the bathtub with cold water.
Step2: Add ice cubes so that the water reaches 54 to 60 degrees.
Step3: Eat a post-run snack
Step4: Put on a hat a sweater, or wrap a towel around your shoulders to keep your upper body warm.
Step5: Soak in icy water for at least 10 minutes.
Step6: Hop out, dry off, eat your full post-run meal.
Step7: Take a warm shower 30 to 60 minutes later (any sooner will negate the benefits of the ice bath).

Here is the why from Craig Smith noted physiotherapist: So how do ice baths help to boost the body's recovery processes and prevent injury?

When you get into an ice bath for five to 10 minutes, the icy cold water causes your blood vessels to tighten and drains the blood out of your legs. After 10 minutes your legs feel cold and numb.

So when Wilko gets out of the bath, his legs fill up with 'new' blood that invigorates his muscles with oxygen to help the cells function better.

At the same time, the more blood coming into Jonny's legs will have to leave as well, draining away and at the same time taking with it the lactic acid that has built up from his match.

Though this will feel like the longest 10 minutes of your life, the results are pretty incredible. I have done this after full day tournaments and use this for my athletes for regeneration sessions.

Stay away from warm water. Basically although it will feel good in the short term you are actually promoting muscle inflammation. Think about a pitcher after a game, he has a taxing workout on his arm, then he ices it. The same thing here. Paula Radcliffe, world renowned marathoner swears by them.

 

He will need about 9 hours of sleep a night with that sort of effort.

 

Replenish fluids and eat bananas for pottasium. Then get him into a real sport like football so he doesnt turn sissy on you.

 

I run college track, so I deal with a lot of the same things.

Ice baths are the best, I usually take them after every practice. They really do suck, but get a little radio in there and a magazine to read for distraction, and the 10 minutes goes by a little quicker. Also, stretching before and after will help soreness, and make your body stonger and more athletic; If I'm just watching TV, I'll start stretching just because. Hydration is super key too, and some Advil will help too.

 

In between travel time from the first & second tryout, take his shoes off. It makes a difference; well it did for me; release the pressure from the cleats and let the feet breath. I also wouldn't go on the field until the last minute when the coach would gather everyone up; gives you some extra resting time, seeing that you're already warmed up from the first tryout.

And don't forget to stretch AFTER the tryout.

Try taking a bath with Epson salt.

 

What clubs is he looking at? Are they Classic League teams?

As a past NTSSA Staff/ODP coach, and past Director of Coaching for large West Texas Club, I recommend that if his legs are shot and he has to perform at a particular try-out for a spot, make sure the coach is aware of the problem. Coaches deal with injuries all the time and if the coach is an experienced and Nationally licensed coach that has worked in serious club soccer for awhile, he will understand your sons restrictions. If there is another try out date before Sunday, I recommend resting him until the last night. Rest is the only real cure for this problem. I understand your son's dilemma. Club soccer has some arcane rules in regards to try-outs. There are too many training sessions for players without a returning team. Players are forced to try-out at multiple clubs, multiple times. That is one reason I asked which clubs he was looking at. The smaller clubs are more likely to give him the benefit of the doubt. If he shows flashes of inspired play and has a good first touch, they will be keen to sign him. Now, if he is looking at one of the bigger clubs like the Texans or Solar, his injury will most likely keep him from impressing. The big clubs have their pick of the talent and most have few openings for new players. He will need to be at the top of his game to get a good look with the big clubs.

If he HAS to go, ice the legs and keep the inflammation down with NASAIDS. He won't be able to perform at his peak, but he will be able to shine in the areas of first touch and tactical awareness. Trust me, his first touch is what the coaches are looking at, first and foremost. Tactical decision making is the next key element and even the injured player can make the penetrating pass or maintain defensive shape and positioning.

Let us know how it goes.

 

LMAO!

As has been said, make sure he's getting enough protein, vitamins/minerals. Make sure his diet is very lean and healthy. Salads, chicken, lean beef, pork, fish. Things like that. A protein shake wouldn't hurt in between the practices.

 

It's tough to build stamina when they're growing like weeds. Ice baths do work to promote recovery, and so will ICE packs if you're traveling from one tryout to the next. Get the gel packs, store in a cooler during the practice, and then wrap him in them as soon as you can when he's done the tryout. Take his shoes off, as long as you're sure you'll be able to get them back on for the next session.

I would also suggest some massage for the calf and thigh, although as an 8th grader he's probably not gonna be comfortable with that, especially if dad's doing the massage. He can certainly do some of that himself. Remember that rubbing ACROSS the muscle mass will be most effective, not with the direction of the muscle, but across it.

If you ice him between sessions, he's gonna need to warm back up before he runs again.

My eldest is a competitive runner and she works hard at keeping her legs fit. Ice bath is great, and she does them regularly at school, but not always practical if you don't have a whirlpool to sit them in at home, which is why we substitute the gel packs as necessary.

Long term? I'd see a professional physical therapist/sports trainer and explain what you're trying to do with your son and work on his stamina. Not his lung capacity, but his muscle stamina, although there certainly is a connection between them.

Good luck, let us know where he lands!!

Dave

 

Pm sent!

 

Ok. You are putting way too much pressure on this kid. If he is not a computer nerd & has participated in sports before he is good to go. Advil for a kid is just plain stupid. Help him eat good meals & supplement w/ a protein shake after practice for recovery for building muscle. A good breakfast is golden. Does he really want to do this? What is his goal minus pressure from you?