Competition is the word when it comes to all things Smithtown sports. With over 11,000 students in the Smithtown district, as noted in the district website, it’s hard to shine in sports that are saturated with talent. Sports are an important part of adolescent social and physical development, yet they become dangerous when stress levels become too high and kids don’t get enough rest. A Smithtown Cross Country and Track star, Victoria Lowe, can attest to this.
Lowe has been a top runner at Smithtown since freshman year. Always a dedicated and focused athlete, she has lead Smithtown to many victories. However, things took a bad turn last year when injured her hip. The extent of the injury is not fully known to Victoria herself, but it was extensive enough to end her running career for the fall season. “I definitely felt pressure from the coach and team to do well,” says Lowe. She also said that if she had rested between seasons instead of continued her training, she probably wouldn’t be dealing with such a serious injury. As a result, Lowe has been unable to participate in the entire 2010 Cross Country season (about 2 months so far), which has been hard on her as well as the team.
“It leaves our team at a huge disadvantage,” says Jenn Booth, one of Victoria’s teammates for the 2010 Cross Country season. “The whole team hopes that she will heal in time for the important meets at the end of the season. But if she’s not better by then, we don’t want her to run because we don’t want her to get a more serious injury.”
Physical injuries and injury recovery have a proven positive correlation with stress levels and the ability to cope with stress. That’s not to say that all injuries are a result of stress, but reducing stress can help reduce the risk of sports injuries. According to the article, Developmental Differences in Psychological Aspects of Sport-Injury Rehabilitation by Britton W. Brewer, acute injuries can often be prevented by simple exercises that reduce stress before a game or practice, including breathing techniques, stretching, and staying in a calm environment.
Of course, never being stressed in sports is impossible. Many students rely on sports scholarships to help them pay for expensive colleges. Scouts sitting at the game can account for a large amount of stress during a game. Even family and friends on the sidelines can put more stress on the athlete to perform well in front of them. The key is to manage your stress in a positive way, and direct it into a productive channel. It is beneficial for teens to learn early on how to separate distress and eustress (distress being the “bad” kind, and eustress being the “good.”). Not only will it help you in sports and prevent injuries, but can help you focus and perform better in all areas of your life.
Teen athletes shouldn’t worry if they feel a little overwhelmed sometimes, it happens to the best. They should just remember that sports are supposed to be a fun, positive, and healthy experience. If your sport is not giving you a positive experience, maybe it’s time to take a break or look into a new sport.
-Bianca Silva
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