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Original poster

Do you think this amount of sport could be damaging to my DS?

17 replies

ghosty · 30/05/2007 05:25

Hi there

DS is a soccer nut. Loves his football. He has been playing soccer since he was 4 in NZ where soccer is still a minor sport.
We moved to Australia 6 weeks ago and although soccer doesn't get anywhere near the same attention as Aussie Rules, Rugby Union and League and Cricket ... it is pretty popular in Melbourne, especially with the Greek community here.
Anyway, we found a club locally ... took DS along to the U9 training session. He loved it, and begged to join.
He is happy, loves it. The thing I worry about is the intensity of it. Training is twice a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6.30pm to 8pm, rain or shine ... Then a big match on Sunday mornings (competing in an U9 league in Northern Melbourne) which is 20 minutes each way. They play a proper, full on, 11 a-side game.
DH and I have noticed that in the short time since he has been playing this intense level his physique has changed a bit. He has become leaner and really pretty muscular. He has little pecs and almost a six pack tummy (6 months ago he still had a round toddler tum) ... his legs are really muscly and you can see real definition in his calf muscles.
I am wondering if this level of intense sport is healthy for one so young ... he is 7 and a half. Can he be damaged by this, physically I mean?
He has a fabulous coach who clearly loves what he does, he has the boys eating out of his hand. He coaches properly, good warm ups, good stretches and warm down at the end. But DS is clearly stiff in the mornings after training. He comes home at 8.20pm, we stick him straight into a warm bath, he has a snack and conks out by 8.50 - exhausted but with a happy smile on his face. The big upside is that he seems to be sleeping better these days ...

Sorry for long post but opinions welcome ...

I think DS would be devastated if we stopped soccer but boy, these Aussies do love their sport

OP posts:
Original poster
ghosty · 30/05/2007 05:30

I meant to add, another big big upside is that my DH comes home early from work on training days to take DS to soccer and stays with him to watch and support ... this is a much needed Dad/Son activity as for 7 months we were living apart and DS really really missed his dad ... so that is deffo a plus point ...
It is the physical side of things I am slightly worried about.

OP posts:
Budababe · 30/05/2007 05:33

I have a soccer nut here too - he will be 6 in August.

Plays whenever and where ever he gets the chance. He is in a great club too but it sounds less intense - he CAN go Tues & Thurs but just for 45 mins - usually chooses not to which is fine by me as it is a 35/40 min drive. Training session on Sat for 45 mins also. A "play" match during this session.

Re: Your dilemma - I can't think that it would be doing him any harm - esp as he loves it so much. You will soon notice if he starts to get tired or run down and starts getting every bug going etc. Then maybe scale it back if poss.

Maybe try a vitamin supplement? I remember a few years ago I started going to the gym a lot and got really really tired. A friend recommended a mega B&C complex. Obv not recommending that for a 7 yr old but maybe make sure he does eat really well and has a vit supplement every 2nd day may help.

Original poster
ghosty · 30/05/2007 05:35

Budababe ... thanks for replying so soon, thought everyone would still be in bed
LOL re. vitamins, we are vitamin family - I sell them! He takes an excellent children's one every day and omega oils too ... Fab suggestion if he wasn't already ...

OP posts:
Budababe · 30/05/2007 05:37

Well no probs then! He should be bouncing around!

Budababe · 30/05/2007 05:39

Am up early as driving to Vienna for a day of retail therapy. DH has taken day off to do school run and build 2 lots of Ikea furniture.

About to have b'fast and go and pick up a friend who is coming with me.

eidsvold · 30/05/2007 05:39

the fact he is sleeping well and having good quality sleep is important. It could be he is just going through a growth/development spurt assisted by this increased activity.

Dd1 who is very active - no rounded toddler tum - dd2 - almost as active - rounded toddler tum.

Great that it is a fab father son activity.

tried a bit of muscle soak - think it is by radox in his bath - might help with the stiffness.

coach sounds like he is doing all the right things with regard to training. It is also still relatively new to him and I would think as his body adjusts to the routine he would not be so stiff - also winter - hard to get going in the morning anyway.

Original poster
ghosty · 30/05/2007 05:40

and [drool] at retail therapy in Europe
Have a fab day ...

OP posts:
eidsvold · 30/05/2007 05:42

ghosty - you have collins street - why are you [jealous]

Original poster
ghosty · 30/05/2007 05:43

The sleep is definitely a good side effect .. he got up at 7.30 this morning (unheard of) ... but was kind of limping - said his shins were sore.
I should take a look at his soccer boots ... make sure they fit well if he is going to get so much use out of them. In NZ he did 1 hour a week after school ...

OP posts:
eidsvold · 30/05/2007 05:44

yeh that is a thought. shins could be growing pains perhaps?!?!?

eidsvold · 30/05/2007 05:45

ghosty there is an athlete footwear shop that does some high tec stuff to make sure you have the right shoes for you - might be worth a look. Called - athletes foot - from memory

Budababe · 30/05/2007 05:45

Get him to build up his muscles around his shins. I used to get shin splints from aerobics. Instructor told me to sit on floor, legs outstretched and point and flex my toes. Seemed to work.

Right am off now!

Original poster
ghosty · 30/05/2007 05:46

I know, am going to collins street later in the week but, well, it's Europe ... and Vienna to boot ... all that lovely old architecture ... sigh. At times I do miss Europe ... the oldness, the establishedness of it ...
Melbourne is way better than Auckland in that respect ... do you know there is a beautiful old building in the city that was built in 1836? Can't get anything older than 1850 in NZ (and we lived in it lololol )

OP posts:
Original poster
ghosty · 30/05/2007 05:49

There is an athlete's foot shop in Ivanhoe ... I will take him down there at the weekend. Thanks for the shinsplints exercise ... ..

OP posts:
Budababe · 30/05/2007 20:34

Back from Vienna - neglected to mention that I was going to a huge shopping mall on the outskirts so no lovely archictecture this time.

Good shopping though!

Original poster
ghosty · 30/05/2007 22:56

LOL at shopping malls ... we do have those in Australia and NZ ...
Glad you had a good time Buda

OP posts:
cat64 · 30/05/2007 23:01

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