Back to School, Back to Sports: Keeping Young Athletes Healthy
HENRIETTA, N.Y. — As students head back to school, many are also returning to the fields and gyms to participate in sports. However, with sports come injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 2 million high school athletes are injured each year in the U.S. In the Rochester area, a specialized sports training program is dedicated to helping young athletes stay healthy.
Carley Shapiro, a high school lacrosse player, is one such athlete. After suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), she spent nine months rehabilitating her knee. “I did it on the field in one of my games. It was like a freak accident,” said Shapiro, now a senior at Brighton High School. “After having surgery, I really need to make sure my knee is strong.”
To aid her recovery, Shapiro trains at the UR Medicine Fitness Science gym, where Conner Lorenzo runs a program designed to both rehabilitate athletes and prevent injuries. “A solid, sound strength conditioning program and preparation is going to help you reduce your risk of injury,” Lorenzo explained. “While we can’t prevent everything, it will significantly impact the likelihood of certain types of injuries.”
It took Shapiro a full year to feel comfortable on the lacrosse field again. Each workout at the program is customized to address individual athletes’ strengths and weaknesses. “For me, it was challenging mentally because I’m always like go, go, go,” she reflected. “I had to relax and start from zero, almost. But you do get it back. You will regain your speed and strength; it just takes time.”
Lorenzo added that certain predictors of injury can be identified for various sports and body parts. This allows trainers to minimize injury risks. Data supports the effectiveness of fitness science; young athletes enrolled in the program showed an average 13% improvement in performance measures by the end of the school year, indicating they are stronger, faster, and less prone to injuries.
“Just educating and teaching them how to move properly puts them at a significantly lower risk from the start,” said Lorenzo.
Looking ahead, Shapiro plans to continue her lacrosse career at Hobart College. She believes that the fitness program has given her an edge. “It definitely makes an impact on the field,” she said. “I can tell I’m stronger from coming here.”
