Healthy Youth Sports

Exercise can be life-changing for children with autism, but how do we ensure physical activity is engaging, effective, and inclusive? In this episode, we welcome David Geslak, BS, ACSM-EP, CSCS, Founder of Exercise Connection and a pioneer in fitness for individuals with autism. Drawing from years of hands-on experience and his groundbreaking system for teaching exercise, David shares valuable insights and strategies for helping children with autism thrive through physical activity. We explore: The unique ways autism affects individuals and how exercise can help. How physical activity improves focus, social skills, and language development in children with autism. Strategies for parents and caregivers to make exercise enjoyable and accessible. The role of adaptive sports and how families can find inclusive programs. Practical tools like social stories and visual schedules to prepare children for physical activity. Insights into the ACSM Autism Exercise Specialist Certificate Course and its impact on professionals working with children with autism. Inspiring success stories of children and families benefiting from exercise interventions. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or coach, this episode provides actionable tips and resources to foster fitness and fun for children with autism.  Tune in and learn how exercise can unlock potential and promote well-being for all!

In this episode of the Healthy Youth Sports Podcast, we’re joined by Lauren Butler, DPT, and Nick Garcia to explore the current state and future of recreational sports. Drawing on insights from Dr. Butler's recent article published in Current Sports Medicine Reports, we discuss whether recreational sports have become a relic of the past or could be a solution for the future of youth athletics. We explore the decline in recreational sports in favor of club sports, including the impact this shift has had on kids' physical, social, and emotional well-being. Dr. Butler and Garcia share insights on high dropout rates in youth sports, early specialization, and rising injury concerns, and discuss the key benefits of recreational sports, from skill development to pure enjoyment. Our conversation dives into the challenges facing recreational sports programs, including funding and staffing limitations, community support, and the need for public policy changes to support growth. By redefining recreational sports, we discuss how parents, communities, and organizations can work together to reshape youth sports and bring back a culture of fun, inclusive, and accessible athletic experiences for kids. Tune in to learn practical solutions and strategies that could help reenergize recreational sports and encourage lifelong physical activity.   Follow Dr. Butler on Twitter/X

In this episode of the Healthy Youth Sports Podcast, we sit down with Carrie Jaworski, MD, FAAFP, FACSM, president-elect of the American College of Sports Medicine, to explore a growing challenge in youth sports—overscheduling. As young athletes juggle competitive sports, academics, and personal lives, the pressure to perform on all fronts can lead to burnout and negatively impact their well-being. Dr. Jaworski sheds light on: Signs of overscheduling and its effects on physical, mental, and emotional health. How academic performance can suffer under the weight of packed schedules. The roles parents, coaches, and athletes play—often unintentionally—in creating unsustainable routines. Dr. Jaworski also shares practical strategies for parents to prevent overscheduling and tips for coaches to find the right balance between practice and competition. She discusses the importance of teaching young athletes to manage their own schedules and advocate for their needs. Tune in to hear Dr. Jaworski’s insights on how we can foster a healthier youth sports culture that prioritizes balance, wellbeing and long-term enjoyment for our athletes. Whether you're a parent, coach, or athlete, this episode offers essential advice for navigating the challenges of today’s demanding sports environment.

In this episode of the Healthy Youth Sports Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Thayne Munce to discuss a groundbreaking applied sports science research study titled "Beyond the Turf: Data-Driven Athlete Health." Dr. Munce and his team are utilizing innovative FieldTurf technology to collect real-time data from high school football players, providing actionable insights for coaches and athletes while gathering millions of deidentified data points. Through the SmartTeam project, this "living laboratory" model is already proving its value by shedding light on athletic performance, injury risks, and how data-driven approaches can improve athlete safety and well-being. Though still in its pilot phase, the study has shown tremendous promise for broader application in sports settings. Tune in to explore how the future of sports science is taking shape on the field and how data can revolutionize athlete health management. Perfect for coaches, athletes, and anyone interested in the intersection of technology and sports performance!   Follow Dr. Munce on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/ThayneMuncePhD