I train a 11 year old athlete who had a hernia operation when he was younger, and I’m wondering which core activities (abdominal training) activities I may need to avoid or watch out for (eg. speed core, certain medi ball exercises), and is their exercises to improve the condition, research ?
And what abjout young developing spines?
You would want to vary it as much as possible. Add in stuff that engages the hip flexors. Variations of med ball throws are more intense than sit ups and crunches. I would stick to chest passes w/med ball from all positions, prone iso abs, crunches, sit ups, for the back you can do cobras and possibly explosive med ball throws from a standing position.
What are you doing with the kid now?
I am doing much of the ab work from the GPP, but when he did a couple of the lower ab exercises from the speed core (lower ab straight leg crunch) he did complain about discomfort in lower ab. He does not yet have the ability to differentiate the different types of training stimuli (lactic acid), but I still do not want to irritate an existing condition. The kids also enjoy doing the hurdle drills, and we use light medicine balls as well (over / under). we do not have enough room to do explosive medi ball drills until we move into our larger facility.
What type of hernia? I was born with a inguinial hernia it was sewn together (no mesh) before I was 1 year old. The risk is not any greater really, but now that you’re paying attention to lower abdominal injuries we might as well touch on a few things. Don’t do ridiculous volumes of anything (ab training included). Keep the hips flexible and supple. If he is complaining of irritation near his testicles than I’d be worried. But if wer’e still talking about the six-pack everything should be ok. Also, what may feel like a hernia could just be an adductor problem. If you don’t see it poking out than you don’t know for sure.
We do one set of 20 reps on medi ball circut (10 exercises), and some bridges for core twice a week, for the young athletes.
We also do hurdle comlex, and light dumbell healthy shoulder/forearm complex.
These are young baseball athletes.
This is not uncommon for young children.
What type of procedure exactly did the kid have?
Regarding more specialised core work - why?
I would believe that the undertaking of a solid balanced training program should not place undue stress on the athlete or a particular area and therefore require additional work.
I would focus more of stretching and relaxation, rather than strengthing.
Well - kinda.
You sure know then what it is.
Trying to diagnose it before that happens is always more advisable but trickier.
MRI is used and Ultrasound too.
Both maybe required.
In my case Ultrasound worked and showed it clearly, even though the surgeon himself said they don’t work and can’t show it up!!!
He relied on palpation.
my bigger question is why start training an 11 year old even remotely seriously? Though im one who comes from the beleif that at the age everythings for the fun of the game, but then again maybe my other sports would have benifited back then.
who knows
Just curious
I run a strength and conditioning facility for athletes who wish to do more serious training programs than they experience in community sports. The programs for the younger athletes are of a the anatomical adaptation, general physical preparation type. These athletes come in on a trial basis twice a week to see if they enjoy the more focussed training or they decide they are not ready. I also evaluate the focus, and maturity of any athlete who wishes to train. I have only had two athletes so far at this age, most are 14 years or older, and wish to begin to specialize in a particular sport.
The two 11 year old athletes I do have are very mature and focused for their age, and very motivated. They do however spend too much time on baseball specific training, so I try to keep their training of a general nature, and limit some of the training they were doing at home. They need to learn skills from other sports, and types of training, that will give them a larger pool to draw from. athletes at this age may enjoy a specific sport at that moment, but it may change, and if they specialize to early in a specific sport they will have a difficult time making the transition to another sport.
I believe if you can teach an athlete proper base skills, (sprint, throw, jump, agility) and develop a strong foundation of strength, these athletes will be successfull at what ever sport they choose to participate in. Not to metion long term health and quality of life.
I just don’t get what is going on in this country (Canada) with the physical
eduation. These basic skills should be the foundation for all these athletes. Could you imagine working with an athlete who already possesed the foundation of these atributes at the age of 14 years old!!!