How can a child stay in shape when not playing an organized sport?
The easiest way for young baseball and softball players to stay in shape during their off-season is to stay active. Continue to run, play and ride your bike. Play catch with a parent or your friend. Avoid too much television and playing television games. Young players don’t have to have a gym membership to stay in shape in the off season. What are the most important safety rules to keep in mind when conditioning? • Stretch – always get loosened up prior to your activity. This gets your muscles ready to work. • Go slow – don’t try to do too much too quickly. It takes time to build up your conditioning. • Never lift weights when you are alone. • Stay within your limits. • Limit workouts to 2- 3 times a week. Jumping jacks can be a great way to warm up. (Jon Willey) As with all physical activity, everyone has their own set of limits, especially when comparing different age groups. What are the guidelines regarding the amount of conditioning by age group? Although there are no true guideli
