Fall Sports and Teen Athletes: How to Stay Healthy All Season Long

First off, I wanted to make everyone aware that I will be out of the office from Wednesday, October 15^th through Friday, October 17^th. I will be back in the office the following week on Monday, October 20^th. We are looking forward to our first true family vacation with the boys!

Fall is one of the busiest and most exciting times for teen athletes, from Friday night football games to Saturday morning cross-country meets. But with more practices, games, and travel, it can be hard to keep up with schoolwork, stay healthy, and recover after long days.

This season is not just about winning games. It is also about learning, growing, and building healthy habits. Taking care of the body now can help athletes feel and perform their best for years. Here are some ways to support teen athletes during the fall sports season.

1. Support Growing Bodies

Teen athletes are still developing, so their bones, muscles, and joints change quickly. This can sometimes cause tight muscles, uneven posture, or “growing pains.” Gentle stretching, good posture habits, and balanced training can help the body adapt to these changes.

2. Balance Busy Schedules

It is easy to forget about rest between school, homework, practices, and games. Recovery is just as important as training. A consistent bedtime, healthy meals, and at least one day off from intense activity each week can help maintain energy and prevent burnout.

3. Adjust to Fall Weather

Cooler temperatures, wet fields, and shorter days can make sports more challenging. Muscles tend to stiffen faster in the cold, so warming up is especially important. Dressing in layers and using proper footwear can help athletes stay comfortable and avoid slips or strains.

4. Build Lasting Habits

Teens who learn how to care for their bodies now are more likely to stay active and healthy as adults. Encouraging regular stretching, hydration, and balanced training can build habits that last well beyond this season.

Conclusion

Fall sports are a time for fun, teamwork, and personal growth. By staying active, getting enough rest, and practicing good habits, teen athletes can enjoy the season while staying healthy and ready to play. If aches, pains, or stiffness are slowing you or your teen athlete down, chiropractic care can help keep your body moving well so you can stay in the game.

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Proper Concussion Management for Adequate Recovery

Fall sports are the most common season for concussion type injuries. Football has been well known for being a sport for concussions but volleyball should not be forgotten with diving players often hitting their head on the floor or colliding with a teammate. Whenever there is a head injury (mild traumatic brain injury), proper identification and resolution of symptoms before returning to strenuous physical activity is essential in preventing a second traumatic episode. Even with the publicity over the recent years on concussions and proper management, head injuries in football continued to be significantly under reported.

The main focus after a concussion is proper evaluation and management through the recovery process. While chiropractic care is a beneficial treatment to help alleviate neck pain and some mild headaches, we recommend that first being evaluated by your primary care physician as the best first step. Typically, I see patients after 3-5 days following injury to allow for proper observation of any alarming symptoms as persistent neck pain can delay recovery. Check out this INFOGRAPHIC for more helpful tips on how to properly manage a concussion.

Jacks DE, Small M, Martin RA, Moore JB. Concussion Reporting Critical Among Football Players Surveyed for Short Term Management and Lifelong Functioning. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. 2025 Mar 5:10-97.

King JA, Nelson LD, Cheever K, Brett B, Gliedt J, Szabo A, Dong H, Huber DL, Broglio SP, McAllister TW, McCrea M. The Prevalence and Influence of New or Worsened Neck Pain After a Sport-Related Concussion in Collegiate Athletes: A Study From the CARE Consortium. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2024 May 14:03635465241247212.