Growing Pains & Play: Supporting Young Athletes Safely

As kids grow, their bodies change rapidly, and for young athletes, those changes can bring both opportunities and challenges. Dr. Jeremy Shapiro, a sports medicine and rehabilitation pediatrician, joins us to talk about how growth impacts musculoskeletal health and what families can do to support their young athletes.  

In this episode, we cover issues active kids may face as they grow, which sports may have a higher risk of injury during growth spurts, and the importance of stretching. Dr. Shapiro highlights how sleep, nutrition and hydration support healthy growth and development. We explore the benefits of sports diversification and why it’s good for kids to play multiple sports throughout the year instead of focusing on just one. 

This episode also introduces families to the world of adaptive sports. Dr. Shapiro is passionate about adaptive sports and highlights programs like Be.Well and The Bridge Adaptive Program, which make movement accessible and empowering for all children. 

Whether you're a parent, coach, or caregiver, this episode is packed with insights to help young athletes grow strong, stay healthy and keep doing what they love. Listen now. 

More Resources for Families: 

Learn more about be.Well Wellness Programs and the power of movement in our episode:  The Power of Movement: Pediatric PT and the Magic of Be.Well 

For more information on be.well: Wellness Programs   

Explore The Bridge Adaptive Program:https://www.thebridgeadaptive.org/