Sports Fitness Summary Sports can be a great way to get in shape or stay that way. Having a specific goal can be a great motivator. Physically, you need strength and endurance. Your training will vary with your sport. You would not train the same way for pole vaulting as for swimming. You might, however, cross train. Cross training simply means that you include a variety of fitness activities in your program. Research shows that cross training builds stronger bones. Remember to listen to your body. If you frequently feel exhausted or you are in pain, you may be overdoing it. Injuries can be the result. And be sure that you use your body and your equipment safely. What you eat and drink is also important. Water is the most important nutrient for active people. Drink it before, during and after workouts. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Teenagers 5 Ways to Prepare for Your Sports Season Nemours Foundation Dehydration (For Teens) Nemours Foundation Female Athlete Triad Nemours Foundation Guide to Eating for Sports Nemours Foundation Performance-Enhancing Drugs and Teen Athletes Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Sports Physicals Nemours Foundation Stretching Nemours Foundation Related Issues 5K Run: 7-Week Training Schedule for Beginners Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Carbohydrate-Loading Diet Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Performance-Enhancing Drugs: Know the Risks Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Selecting and Effectively Using Sports Drinks, Carbohydrate Gels and Energy Bars American College of Sports Medicine Stretching Safely and Effectively Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Weight Training: Do’s and Don’ts of Proper Technique Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Reference Desk ACSM Fit Society Page American College of Sports Medicine Definitions of Health Terms: Fitness National Library of Medicine Find an Expert American College of Sports Medicine American College of Sports Medicine National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition Children Children and Sports: Choices for All Ages Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Feeding Your Child Athlete Nemours Foundation Fitness for Kids Who Don’t Like Sports Nemours Foundation Sports and Energy Drinks: Should Your Child Drink Them? Nemours Foundation Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Sports Medicine National Institutes of Health Women Exercise and Bone Health for Women: The Skeletal Risk of Overtraining National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Female Athlete Triad American Academy of Family Physicians Statistics and Research FastStats: Exercise or Physical Activity National Center for Health Statistics Start Here Fitness: Tips for Staying Motivated Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Measuring Your Fitness Level Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Pre-Participation Physical Examinations American College of Sports Medicine Selecting and Effectively Using a Health/Fitness Facility American College of Sports Medicine Encyclopedia Nutrition and athletic performance Journal Articles Sports Fitness
