ially if they are going through a growth spurt.
Match the move to your skill level. Remember that it can take years of training and practice to execute complex moves safely.
Stop skating if you're in pain.
Overuse injuries happen when skaters train too much, skate with pain, and don't leave enough time for rest and recovery. Try
rest, ice, compression, and elevation to deal with soreness. Talk with your pediatrician if pain continues.
Participate in a variety of sports and activities outside of school. Children who
specialize in a single sport, training year-round from a young age, are more likely to develop overuse injuries.
Remember: When children stop smiling on the ice, that's when it's too much.
Let your child decide if he or she wants competition or to grow in figure skating. Pushing a child to excel is a formula for sports injuries and burnout―especially in an individual sport like skating.
Take steps to prevent skating-related injuries; do what you can to keep your child's time on the ice fun and safe. If your child does develop aches and pains that don't go away with rest, be sure to talk with your child's pediatrician.
About Dr. Fazekas:
Matthew Fazekas, MD, FAAP is a practicing pediatrician in South Florida with fellowship training and board certification in pediatric, adolescent and young adult sports medicine. He currently serves as a consulting physician for U.S. Figure Skating and has served as a consulting and team physician for the Boston Ballet, Northeastern University, and Emmanuel College. He has provided event coverage for the BAA Boston Marathon and other national mass sporting events. Within the American Academy of Pediatrics, he is a member of the Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness (COSMF). Dr. Fazekas is also a member of American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, the American College of Sports Medicine, Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine Society, Alpha Omega Alpha, and the Medical Honor Society.