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Ask Dr. Dot
Sometimes when I'm playing second base, grounders scare me and I miss. I've also
been popping up in crucial at bats. How can I become more consistent in my
defense and
hitting? At one time or another every athlete is overwhelmed by feelings of doubt, insecurity and even fear. With experience you'll learn to recognize these feelings and replace them with more productive ones. Becoming consistent means focusing on simple goals. The more you concentrate on the fundamentals of the game, on both defense and offense, the more successful you'll be. Every time you step on the field, try to "see" the ball into the glove, "see" the ball off the bat. Each time you'll "see" a little better than the last time. Most important, trust your talent -- it's a gift to be enjoyed.
I'm a high school junior and a pitcher on our softball team. I've recently
developed carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis in my pitching wrist. How can I
prevent painful
flare-ups? Carpal tunnel syndrome is a chronic condition that may develop when the wrist area is subject to increased pressure or repetitive motion, which in turn irritates the median nerve running through a "tunnel" made up of the wrist bones (the carpal tunnel). Symptoms like pain, numbness and/or tingling in the index, middle and ring fingers can be eased with anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or aspirin. But preventing pain and nerve damage is the real goal. If you've been working out too frequently, cut back. It's unusual for someone your age to develop problems with your pitching mechanics, but ask your coach for pointers. Above all, don't ignore what your body is telling you. See an orthopedist for further diagnosis and recommendations. Whenever I run, I get painful stitches in my side, especially when I go downhill. I drink plenty of water and don't overdo it. What could be causing this? Cindy Botticello, Kingston, N.Y. Athletes often experience side aches, or stitches, with increased activity. No one really knows why, but one possible explanation is that as exercise increases blood flow to the major organs, more pressure is put on the membrane enveloping such organs as the liver (on the right) or the spleen (on the left), stretching it and triggering pain. Your best bet: Warm up for about 10 minutes, upping the intensity only when you feel totally ready. If you're having abdominal pain while going downhill, you may have strained your abdominal muscles. If so, allow seven to 10 days for them to heal, then slowly ease back into your routine. I'm 14 years old and training for a marathon in November. With my doctor's O.K., I'm running 22 to 31 miles a week and weight training, but is there anything else I should be doing? Emily Hunt, Haddonfield, N.J. The first question is, Should you be running a marathon at all? Marathoner Jenny Crain, 31, a qualifier for the 2000 Olympic trials, feels the stress that a 26.2-mile race puts on the mind as well as the body might be too much for a young athlete. She suggests trying 5Ks or 10Ks first and saving the marathon until college. That said, some 14-year-olds are mature enough to handle the mental demands of a marathon, and if your doctor has given you the O.K., it probably means your bone plates have fused (i.e., you've stopped growing), which lowers the risk of injury. The best thing you can add to your training is proper nutrition. Be sure to eat enough food to fuel your mileage, and be sure it's the right kind. Carbo loading -- eating lots of complex carbohydrates, found in pastas, potatoes and breads -- is fine in the days before the race, but a diet that includes all the food groups is essential throughout training.
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