All Articles by Lindsey Barton Straus, JD

Studies show that a new way of stretching (dynamic stretching) increases power, flexibility and range of motion, and may reduce injuries while the kind of stretching routine most of us have been doing since we were in grade school (holding a stretch for 20 or 30 seconds, supposedly to prepare muscles for exercise, or static stretching) not only fails to do what it is supposed to do but may actually weaken muscles and hurt athletic performance.

That a sports concussions have an adverse short-term effect on cognitive functioning has long been known.  But two recent studies add to a growing body of evidence that the effects of concussions may last for many months and in some cases years.

Light jogging, dynamic stretching among steps tennis players can take to reduce risk of traumatic and overuse injuries.

As many as 9 out of 10 of all sports-related eye injuries can be prevented by wearing protective eyewear.  Here are some tips on buying protective goggles for your child.

To help middle and high schools and private- and community-based youth sports organizations (YSOs) provide appropriate medical care to secondary-school-aged adolescents in sports, the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) recently issued a Summary Statement calling for schools and YSOs to establish, in consulation with administrators, coaches, parents and athletes, athletic health care teams (AHCTs) to approach the issue of athletic injuries in a comprehensive way.

Despite the popularity of energy drinks, especially among teens, both the National Federation of State High School Associations and American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommend against their consumption by children and adolescents because of their potential adverse health effects.

A new study in the journal Pediatrics finds children with flat feet do just as well in sports as those with "normal" feet, and calls into doubt the traditional treatment of flat feet with corrective insoles (e.g. orthotics).