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Journalism of Courage
ATHLETICS may be a rather bad word in the country right now, but rare must be the child8212;or parent8212;who did not watch entranced as lean, long-limbed men and women from across the world crossed the finishing lines at the Olympics last week.
Research shows talent, spotted early and groomed well, can lead to great things. Even if it doesn8217;t end in gold, it lays the foundation for a fit, flexible body.
Where does one start?
An early start is of utmost importance, says Dr Prateek Kumar Gupta, consultant in sports medicine at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi.
8216;8216;If a child shows an inclination towards sports, she or he can be introduced to any discipline. But serious training should start by age six to seven,8217;8217; says Gupta. 8216;8216;Since endurance levels are low, the schedule should be limited to six hours a week.8217;8217;
What about slightly older children?
By age eight, the child should be registered with a local academy.
8216;8216;The parents should zero in on a good academy and ensure the coach has at least some national-level experience in the sport,8217;8217; says Gupta. 8216;8216;Two-hour rigorous training sessions five times a week are essential.8217;8217;
Basics to keep in mind:
8226; Gear should be as good as possible and shoes should not be too heavy
8226; In racquet sports, the grip and size should be based on the size of the player8217;s palm
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TAKING GUARD
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8226; Incorrect technique strains the athlete8217;s musculo-skeletal system |
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Between 10 and 13 years of age8230;
By this time, it is possible to tell if the child has a future in sports. Exposure to competition is of utmost importance. 8216;8216;Federations and regional sports authorities should be taking an interest by this stage,8217;8217; says Gupta. 8216;8216;Apart from two hours of training every day, a carb- and protein-rich diet is advisable.8217;8217;
And 13 and beyond8230;
The child should be playing at the state level by this age. Training schedules have to be more rigorous, taking up to three hours every day for six days a week. 8216;8216;Correct guidance and exposure to competition with better talent are of vital importance at this stage,8217;8217; says Gupta.
So how should the child train?
Apart from sports-specific training, general training for strength and endurance is also important, says Gupta. 8216;8216;A well-rounded programme using barbells and dumb-bells will improve muscles, general endurance, stamina and speed.8217;8217;
