This article is a translation of the following Japanese article:
If you feel “Is it growing pains because I play sports?”
Soccer, baseball, basketball, swimming, gymnastics, etc.
When children play sports,
- “My legs hurt after exercising”
- “It started hurting at night”
- “I was told that I had growing pains, but is it okay to continue playing sports?”
You often feel anxious.
Author
“Is sports the cause of growing pains? “The feeling of thinking like this is very natural.”
Is there a relationship between growing pains and sports?
In conclusion,
It has not been determined that sports themselves are a direct cause of growing pains.
However,
👉 It is believed that the “strain on the body” caused by sports is
👉 a factor that makes it easier to feel growing pains.
Why does playing sports make growing pains more likely?
Here, we will explain in an easy-to-understand manner why growing pains are thought to be related to sports.
① Muscle fatigue easily accumulates due to exercise
While children are highly resilient,
- Keep moving like crazy
- Hard to notice fatigue
.
It is thought that fatigue builds up in the muscles and tendons used during sports,
and you are more likely to experience pain when relaxing at night.
Author
“This is the reason why I feel fine during the day but only feel pain at night.”
② “Body imbalance” peculiar to the growth period
For growing children,
- Bone grows rapidly
- Muscles and tendons cannot keep up with growth
It is easy to get into a state like this.
When the movement of sports is added to this,
the pulling force becomes stronger, which can lead to discomfort and pain.
③ Influence of sports that repeat the same movements
In certain sports,
- 走る
- 跳ぶ
- Kick
- Sudden stop
.
This will result in
👉 Knee
👉 Calf
👉 Thigh
etc., and it may be felt as growing pains.
Author
“Rather than using it too much, I think it puts more strain on the growing body.”
Characteristics of growing pains common in children who play sports
Growing pains in children who play sports tend to be as follows.
- Pain tends to occur on the night of exercise
- When you rest, you feel better the next day
- Often appears on both legs
- Comfortable with massage and warmth
These are typical patterns of growing pains.
The answer to “Growing pains = canceling sports?”
This is the point that many parents worry about the most.
In conclusion,
👉 If the pain is not strong, it is OK to continue as much as you can afford
👉 If the pain is strong/continues, take a break temporarily
is the basic idea.
Author
“The idea of “adjusting” is more important than “stopping completely””
Cases in which it is okay to continue playing sports
If the following conditions are met, it is often possible to continue playing sports.
✔ Can move normally during the day
✔ The pain is only at night
✔ It’s less severe the next day
✔ There’s no swelling or fever
✔ The patient says he wants to do it
In this case,
- Slightly adjust momentum
- Get plenty of rest
You can check the situation.
When it’s best to take a break from sports
In the following cases, it is important to rest without overexerting.
- The pain is severe and it is difficult to move
- It hurts even during the day
- It hurts in the same place all the time
- The way you walk is strange
- There is swelling or a feeling of heat
These may be caused by something other than growing pains, so we recommend consulting a pediatrician or orthopedic doctor.
Tips for sports for children with growing pains
We will introduce some tricks you can do at home to continue playing sports while dealing with growing pains.
✔ ① Take care of cooling down after exercise
- Light stretching
- Relax your body slowly
This alone will reduce muscle fatigue.
✔ ② Warm up thoroughly in the bath
Warming up your body after exercise or before going to bed can help relax your muscles and ease pain.
Author
“If you think of bathing as time for care, it will be easier to continue.”
✔ ③ Get plenty of sleep and rest
The growing body
recovers and grows while you sleep.
- Avoid staying up late
- Ensure sufficient sleep time
This is also a great way to deal with growing pains.
✔ ④ Don’t push yourself too hard on days when you have pain
“Everyone is doing it”
“If you take a break, you’ll be late”
You may feel that way, but
If you force yourself to do so, it may actually last longer.
Author
“Rest is also a part of growth”
Cooperation with instructors and coaches is also important
It is also important to let your coach or instructor know that you are having growing pains.
- Adjusting the amount of practice
- Increase your breaks
- Avoid impossible menus
With these considerations, children can continue with peace of mind.
Let’s understand growing pains and sports correctly
Growing pains are
✔ One of the signs of growth
✔ Many are temporary
✔ Can be overcome with proper care
.
You don’t have to stop playing sports completely, but
It’s most important to not ignore your child’s physical signs.
Summary｜Growing pains and sports can be ok if you deal with them well
✔ Sports are not a direct cause of growing pains
✔ Pain is more likely to occur during the growth period and the stress of exercise
✔ It is often possible to continue with reasonable adjustments
✔ If the pain is severe, rest and consultation are prioritized
✔ Collaboration between family and instructor leads to peace of mind
Author
“Working hard and protecting are both important. Let’s watch over our growing bodies together🌿”
