Sweat, Science, and the Love of the Game: Celebrating National Athletic Training Month

Every year, as the weather warms up and fields come alive with activity, young athletes take to the courts, diamonds, and tracks to compete in their favorite spring sports. Whether it’s the power behind a tennis serve, the speed of a baseball pitch, or the endurance of a track runner, each sport demands something unique from an athlete’s body.

In celebration of National Athletic Training Month, we’re going beyond the mechanics of the game—because there’s a deeper reason why we encourage kids to play sports in the first place: they serve as a training ground for life.

The role of sports in development

“The reason we play sports at a young age is because it’s a safe place to fail,” explains Geoff Omiatek, Orthopedic ONE’s Director of Therapy Services and Sports Medicine. “We need to learn how to fail, how to overcome, how to work as a team, and how to push through adversity. Sports allow kids to experience this in a way that helps them grow.”

But sometimes, that adversity includes injury—something no athlete, coach, or parent wants to see. That’s why understanding the biomechanics of these sports and taking preventative measures is critical to keeping young athletes healthy and in the game for years to come.

The biomechanics of spring sports and common injury risks

Spring sports, like baseball, soccer, tennis, lacrosse, and track and field, involve complex biomechanical movements that place stress on different parts of the body.

  • Throwing sports (baseball, tennis, lacrosse): These are full-body movements, not just upper-extremity actions. “A pitcher’s hand may be the last thing touching the ball before the throw, but that throw starts from the legs, trunk, and core,” Geoff explains. The same applies to a tennis serve or a lacrosse pass. If one part of the kinetic chain isn’t functioning properly, the rest of the body will compensate—which often leads to overuse injuries like tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) or rotator cuff issues.
  • Track and field, soccer and lower-extremity sports: The primary forces at play are ground reaction forces—the impact of the foot hitting the ground and the ground hitting the foot. While shoe wear and strength matter, everything still comes back to the trunk and core because the body is connected.
  • Injury breakdown—contact vs. non contact injuries: Contact injuries are often unavoidable, but noncontact injuries—especially overuse injuries—are a different story. “Overuse injuries typically fall into two buckets: too much, too soon, or bad mechanics,” says Geoff. Athletes who increase their training too quickly, and young athletes still learning proper form may be more likely to experience overuse injuries.

So, how do we prevent these injuries and keep athletes strong?

Preventing injuries: Training smarter, not harder

“Strength training should always be part of any structured sport,” Geoff emphasizes. But it’s not just about lifting weights—it’s about training the right way for the right sport. Here are some key strategies for injury prevention:

  • Sleep hygiene: “The number one thing we tell athletes for recovery? Sleep. Growth hormone levels peak during sleep—it’s how we heal.” Having a normal bedtime, avoiding screens an hour before bed, and creating a consistent sleep schedule will help keep athletes on track and in the game.
  • Cross-training: Playing different sports and incorporating various movement patterns reduces overuse injuries.
  • Load management: “The recommended hours of structured activity per week should align with the athlete’s age—for example, a 12-year-old should do no more than 12 hours.” And it should be spread out, Geoff says, not crammed into a couple of long, exhausting days.
  • Listening to the body: Pain and fatigue are warning signs. If something feels off, it’s crucial to address it early rather than push through it. Contact our Sports Medicine team to schedule an appointment or evaluation.
  • Active recovery: Taking a full day off to do nothing isn’t the answer. Instead, opt for light movement, stretching, and proper self-care to help the body recover.

Rehabilitation and individualized care

When injuries do happen, rehabilitation isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Athletic trainers, physicians, and physical therapists work together to ensure athletes return stronger than before. Learn more about our Sports Medicine specialty.

“We tell our athletes: ‘We just gave you a plan—you executed it.’ They did the work. We were just there to help guide them,” says Geoff. That guidance includes adjusting rehab plans based on the athlete’s sport, position, and individual needs.

Keeping athletes healthy for life

The ultimate goal isn’t just to get athletes playing all season long—it’s to keep them healthy for life.

“Sports should be a lifelong activity,” Geoff says. “Whether it’s tennis, soccer, track, or volleyball, keeping kids engaged in movement long-term is the key. And that means giving them the right foundation from the start—both biomechanically and mentally.”

Injury prevention isn’t about limiting kids—it’s about setting them up for success. By understanding the demands of their sport, training wisely, and listening to their bodies, athletes can keep playing, competing, and learning from sports well beyond their youth. And that’s what it’s all about: developing strong, resilient athletes who love what they do—both on and off the field.