Deborah Gilboa, MD Boundary-setting is a tough topic for coaches, many of whom wear a lot of hats. However, learning how to set boundaries is critical to a coach’s personal well-being and their management of a team. Coaches also have the opportunity to lead by example, setting boundaries that reflect [...]
Deborah Gilboa, MD Setting boundaries as a student-athlete may seem impossible given that you're obligated to turn in that history report on the same day as playoffs while also juggling family commitments and college applications.Setting boundaries is tricky because you have so many projects, obligations, and goals that you're trying [...]
Deborah Gilboa, MD Have you been wondering how to teach your student-athlete how to set smart boundaries that help them succeed in school, sport, and life? It’s tempting to simply give them specific boundaries that reflect your values (like always prioritizing homework over practice, or not texting after 8 p.m.). [...]
Dr. Charron Sumler, PhD, LPCC Social media is part of nearly every young athlete's life. It's how they connect with friends and teammates, see what other athletes are doing for training, and find like-minded communities that help them deepen their sense of self. These apps can be a positive force, [...]
Kristen Ziesmer, MS, RDN, CSSD, LDN Breakfast is still the most important meal of the day, especially for busy athletes balancing sport, school, extracurriculars, and social activities. And unfortunately, breakfast is also an easy meal for athletes to skip, especially when the day starts with before-school practice or an early [...]
Dr. Melissa Streno Self-care is important for everyone, from coaches to athletes to caregivers. However, self-care can go too far, especially when an athlete is using it to strive for optimized performance. Here, TrueSport Expert and licensed clinical psychologist, Dr. Melissa Streno, is sharing the 'red flag' behaviors that can [...]
Dr. Charron Sumler, PhD, LPCC Are you worried about the amount of time your student-athlete spends on social media? Here, Dr. Charron Sumler, TrueSport Expert and Assistant Director of Sport Psychology and Wellness Services at The Ohio State University, shares the stats on social media, along with the pros and [...]
Kristen Ziesmer, MS, RDN, CSSD, LDN Busy lives for caregivers and athletes can make healthy meal prep seem impossible. But it is possible to add more whole foods to breakfast, lunch, and dinner—and skip the fast-food stops after practice—with a bit of meal prep and some simple changes to avoid [...]
Dr. Melissa Streno As a busy coach, the idea of making time for self-care can seem overwhelming or even unimportant compared to the endless tasks on your list. But carving out time to take care of yourself will significantly help your body and mind, while also making you a better [...]
Dr. Melissa Streno Self-care is often misunderstood, and in the sports community, it can be viewed as lazy or as a way to justify obsessive behaviors. In reality, self-care should be about finding and intentionally practicing experiences that make you feel renewed. Here, Dr. Melissa Streno, TrueSport Expert and licensed [...]
KRISTEN ZIESMER, MS, RDN, CSSD, LDN Registered Dietitian, Founder Elite Nutrition & Performance Struggling to get dinner on the table after a long day of shuttling athletes to and from practice? Or maybe you're frustrated with the small amounts of leftovers sitting uneaten in the fridge. Good news: Freezer meals [...]
Charron Sumler, PhD, LPCC Sport Psychotherapist, The Ohio State University, Department of Athletics As an athlete, you know that not every competition will end with a win. In fact, there will almost always be something in a race, competition, or match that doesn't go your way. That can be emotionally [...]
MICHELE LABOTZ, MD, FAAP Sports Medicine Physician, InterMed Sports Medicine Clinic Back pain can be scary for both an athlete and their caregiver. It often doesn't have a clearcut reason or explanation, which can feel frightening, and lingering back pain can be frustrating for an athlete who's in the middle [...]
MICHELE LABOTZ, MD, FAAP Sports Medicine Physician, InterMed Sports Medicine Clinic Do you know which muscles make up your core? While it's easy to equate having a strong core with having visible six-pack abs, there's much more to your core than how your stomach muscles look in the mirror. A [...]
Shoulder injuries are unfortunately common for athletes of all types, whether due to acute or overuse injuries sustained during sport. Although there is no one-size-fits-all solution to building strong, mobile, injury-free shoulders, there are some general principles that can help regardless of sport choice. MICHELE LABOTZ, MD, FAAP Sports Medicine Physician, [...]
KRISTEN ZIESMER, MS, RDN, CSSD, LDN Registered Dietitian, Founder Elite Nutrition & Performance The topic of weight gain for athletic performance is an incredibly complex, tricky topic, especially for caregivers of young athletes. It can be difficult helping an athlete gain weight in a way that's healthy from a nutritional [...]
TOM FARREY, Founder and Executive Director of the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program We know that sports are hugely beneficial to children and young adults, from both a physical and mental standpoint. But sometimes, the sport systems that are in place don’t promote the healthiest practices for all athletes—and [...]
MICHELE LABOTZ, MD, FAAP Sports Medicine Physician, InterMed Sports Medicine Clinic Dealing with your period while balancing sports can be stressful and uncomfortable. But your period is a positive thing: It's an important marker of health, and there are ways to make this part of your life easier. Here, Dr. [...]
Betsy Butterick, Coach and Communication Specialist If you often find yourself having arguments with your athlete about things like getting to practice on time, an unfair coach or referee, or what your athlete could have done better after a bad game, there are some simple ways to improve your style [...]
As a coach, you play a large role in the creation of your team culture. While athletes make a difference, you are ultimately the leader who will set the tone for the team each season as athletes come and go. It's easy to fall into certain patterns and skip self-reflection, especially if [...]
Betsy Butterick, Coach and Communication Specialist Creating the team culture you want can be tricky: Every small action you take or conversation you have contributes to the culture as much as any result from a competition or the work you put in at practice. So how do you purposefully create [...]
Dr. Jessica Bartley, senior director of psychological services with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Are you coming to the end of a chapter in your sporting career? Maybe you're a high school senior who isn't planning to continue with your sport in college. Perhaps you were injured and need [...]
Laura Lewis, PhDDirector of Science, USADA It’s no secret: We know that sleep is an athlete's superpower. Athletes who get enough sleep and have good sleep hygiene are able to recover faster, while those with poor sleep quality tend to be injured more and recover slower. So, is it important [...]
Laura Lewis, PhDDirector of Science, USADA Wearables are becoming more and more common amongst amateur and professional athletes, but should student-athletes be using these technologies? Dr. Laura Lewis is the Director of Science at the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and her early research was done on cycling and power meters—devices [...]
Laura Lewis, PhDDirector of Science, USADA Should you be tracking your period with an app or trusting a wearable to let you know when it's about to start? Technology in sport has come a long way, and recently, great strides have been made in the women's health and technology space. [...]