Healthy Youth Sports

Welcome to Healthy Youth Sports , a podcast by the National Youth Sports Health and Safety Institute (NYSHSI), a community impact program of the American College of Sports Medicine. In this episode Eric Utterback sits down with Don Hooton Jr., President of the Taylor Hooton Foundation, to explore the growing crisis of Performance and Appearance Enhancing Drug (PAED) use among young athletes. 🎧 Th...

In this episode of Healthy Youth Sports , hosted by Eric Utterback, we take a deep dive into one of the most pressing issues in youth baseball: throwing injuries. Whether you're a coach, parent, clinician, or athlete, this episode is packed with expert insights to help prevent and manage arm injuries in young players. Joining the conversation are two of the nation's leading orthopedic sports medic...

In this episode of Healthy Youth Sports , host Eric Utterback is joined by renowned podiatrist Jeffrey Ross, DPM, MD, FACSM, to explore one of the most serious injuries in sports—the Achilles tendon tear. Prompted by the 2025 NBA playoffs, where three star players suffered Achilles injuries, this conversation takes a deep dive into how and why these injuries occur, and more importantly, how they c...

As temperatures soar across the country, keeping young athletes safe during summer sports becomes more important than ever. In this timely episode of Healthy Youth Sports , host Eric Utterback is joined by internationally renowned heat stress and youth sports health expert Dr. Michael F. Bergeron. Together, they explore the critical steps parents, coaches, and athletes must take to prevent heat-re...

In this episode of Healthy Youth Sports , host Eric Utterback explores the powerful intersection of physical activity, social-emotional learning (SEL), and mental health with Dr. Eduardo Bustamante, a leading public health researcher, and Jim Dower, Executive Director of Urban Initiatives. The episode delves into how high-quality, sports-based youth development programs can nurture resilience, emo...

In this special episode, we're joined by three dynamic guests to explore how the InPACT (Interrupting Prolonged Sitting with Activity) program is transforming the school day—and student outcomes—through simple, effective movement breaks. 🎙 Dr. Rebecca Hasson , Associate Professor at the University of Michigan and Director of the Childhood Disparities Research Lab, shares the research and equity-dr...

In this episode of Healthy Youth Sports , we sit down with Kevin Martinez, ESPN's Vice President of Corporate Citizenship, to dive into the network's groundbreaking Take Back Sports initiative. With a $5 million commitment and powerful partnerships—including Steph and Ayesha Curry's Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation—ESPN is on a mission to remove barriers, restore fun, and create healthier, more inclus...

Today's episode features none other than Lee Taft, widely recognized as "The Speed Guy" in the world of athletic performance. With over 35 years of experience, Lee is one of the most respected athletic movement specialists globally, known for revolutionizing the way athletes train for multi-directional speed and agility. Whether you're a coach, parent, or athlete, this episode is packed with actio...

In this episode of Healthy Youth Sports , Dr. Courtney Duckworth and Dr. Jeffrey Lo join host Eric Utterback to discuss the vital role of preparing the next generation of pediatric sports medicine professionals. Dr. Duckworth, a resident physician at Boston Children's Hospital, and Dr. Lo, a sports medicine physician with a background in pediatric rheumatology, share their expertise on navigating...

In this episode, Michael R. Rebold, PhD, ACSM-EP, CSCS joins us to dive into essential recovery strategies for young athletes. The conversation explores the critical role recovery plays in improving performance, preventing injuries, and enhancing overall athletic development. Dr. Rebold shares expert insights on effective recovery techniques including sleep, hydration, nutrition, and mental recove...

Archery is more than just a sport—it's a powerful tool for physical fitness, mental focus, and character development. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Tommy Floyd, President of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), to explore how archery is engaging students in new and meaningful ways. We discuss how schools can incorporate archery into their physical education programs, the equ...

Resistance training isn't just for adults—youth resistance training programs are growing in popularity across schools, fitness centers, and training facilities. In this episode, we sit down with Gregory Blake Biren, PhD, CSCS, CES , to explore the benefits and best practices for youth resistance training. Discover: The significant physical and mental health benefits of properly designed and superv...

Exercise can be life-changing for children with autism, but how do we ensure physical activity is engaging, effective, and inclusive? In this episode, we welcome David Geslak, BS, ACSM-EP, CSCS, Founder of Exercise Connection and a pioneer in fitness for individuals with autism. Drawing from years of hands-on experience and his groundbreaking system for teaching exercise, David shares valuable ins...

In this episode of the Healthy Youth Sports Podcast , we're joined by Lauren Butler, DPT, and Nick Garcia to explore the current state and future of recreational sports. Drawing on insights from Dr. Butler's recent article published in Current Sports Medicine Reports , we discuss whether recreational sports have become a relic of the past or could be a solution for the future of youth athletics. W...

In this episode of the Healthy Youth Sports Podcast , we sit down with Carrie Jaworski, MD, FAAFP, FACSM, president-elect of the American College of Sports Medicine, to explore a growing challenge in youth sports—overscheduling. As young athletes juggle competitive sports, academics, and personal lives, the pressure to perform on all fronts can lead to burnout and negatively impact their well-bein...

In this episode of the Healthy Youth Sports Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Thayne Munce to discuss a groundbreaking applied sports science research study titled "Beyond the Turf: Data-Driven Athlete Health." Dr. Munce and his team are utilizing innovative FieldTurf technology to collect real-time data from high school football players, providing actionable insights for coaches and athletes while ga...

Andrew Gregory, MD, FACSM, joins us to explore how parents and coaches can help prevent overuse injuries in young athletes. We dive into the difference between overuse and acute injuries, the most common types of overuse injuries, and the risk factors that make young athletes vulnerable—especially early specialization in a single sport. Dr. Gregory shares evidence-based prevention strategies, incl...

In this episode of The Healthy Youth Sports Podcast , we dive into "The Essential Role of the Athletic Trainer" with Terry DeWitt, PhD, AT, ACSM-EP, Professor and Chair of the Department of Kinesiology at Ouachita Baptist University. Dr. DeWitt sheds light on the critical role athletic trainers play in safeguarding the health and well-being of student-athletes, both physically and mentally. We dis...

Brent Nicoson, head women's golf coach at Grand Canyon University, shares valuable insights for youth golf coaches and parents. We discuss essential coaching philosophies, key skills for young golfers, and the importance of role models and mentorship. Brent also covers the balance between physical and mental preparation, investment in golf development, and how to ensure young athletes enjoy the ga...

In this episode of The Healthy Youth Sports Podcast , we're joined by William Adams, Ph. D., ATC, FACSM, Associate Director of Sports Medicine Research at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Dr. Adams shares his expertise on heat illness and hydration, essential topics for keeping high school athletes safe. We delve into: Heat Illness: An overview of common heat illnesses seen in athletic s...

Female wrestling is on the rise, and with that comes a host of challenges in maintaining the health and safety of these athletes. Today's guests are Kira Blum and Dr. Lisa Woodroffe of the University of Iowa Athletics Department, who bring their expertise and experience to this important conversation. The episode is centered around the article "Contemporary Issue: Health and Safety of Female Wrest...

Join us for an essential episode of The Healthy Youth Sports Podcast as we explore "Optimal Nutrition for Youth Athletes" with Dr. Jennifer Sacheck, a renowned expert in nutrition and exercise science from The George Washington University. Dr. Sacheck shares her insights on how young athletes can meet the demands of growth, development, and increased physical activity through proper nutrition. In...

Join us for an enlightening episode of The Healthy Youth Sports Podcast as we discuss "The Importance of Sleep for Young Athletes" with Holly Benjamin, M.D., FACSM, a distinguished expert in pediatric sports medicine. Dr. Benjamin is a Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, Professor of Pediatrics, and Director, Primary Care Sports Medicine at UChicago Medicine. In this episo...

Join us for an insightful episode of The Healthy Youth Sports Podcast with Sheri Colberg, Ph. D., FACSM, a world-renowned expert in physical activity and exercise for individuals with diabetes. Dr. Colberg returns to discuss the unique challenges and considerations for girls and women who are both athletic and diabetic. In this episode titled "Being Female, Athletic, and Diabetic," we explore how...

Join us on The Healthy Youth Sports Podcast for an enlightening conversation with Karin Pfeiffer, Ph. D., FACSM, Director of the Michigan State University Institute for the Study of Youth Sports and NYSHSI Leadership Board member. In this episode, we delve into the current events of women's college basketball and celebrate the stardom of today's top athletes. We explore how these athletes' success...