Student athletes return to the court and field as the fall sports season begins. Intermountain Healthcare doctors want to remind athletes, their coaches and parents how to stay safe and avoid injury as they prepare for the upcoming season.

For many athletes, stretching and hydration seem to be obvious areas of focus, but nutrition and proper injury treatment can be important factors in athletes’ performance as well as their overall health.

“High school athletic students can be out of exercise after a summer vacation, so they need to take extra care when returning to vigorous exercise,” said Ben Buchanan, MD, an exercise medicine physician at Intermountain St. George Regional Hospital. “They need to move more slowly as their body adjusts to the sport again.”

At this time of year, especially in southern Utah, staying hydrated and avoiding heat sickness in the higher temperatures are also major concerns.

These problems can be exacerbated depending on the pitch, as artificial turf and concrete have higher surface temperatures than grass. Athletes are encouraged to drink plenty of water and the occasional sports drink to stay hydrated, but also need to take more breaks during competition.

dr Buchanan says another overlooked issue he sees affecting athlete health is nutrition. He points out that a balanced diet, taken at the right time, can make all the difference in performance.

“Eating fruits and vegetables can help athletes stay hydrated, but it’s also important to eat the right proteins and carbohydrates for energy,” said Dr. Buchanan. “At this age, kids eat whatever they want with few consequences, but they may not realize the impact it is having on their performance.”

For example, doctors encourage their athletes to eat something with sodium after a workout or a game so they…