Research shows that 60 to 70 per cent of young athletes drop out of sports by the age of 13, and by age 17, nearly half quit for good. Among the top reasons are injury and burnout.
So, when 15-year-old Claire Tutching began participating in the Leaside Sports Medicine Youth Athlete Assessment Program in 2024, she was unique not only as a standout volleyball player but also as a teen who remained in organized sports.
Tutching did more than remain; she also plays volleyball at the high school level with Northern Secondary, at the competitive rep level with Leaside Volleyball, and with Team Ontario.
The Leaside Sports Medicine Youth Assessment Program has been a key contributor to her success.
The program is designed to assess youth athletes and work with them to prevent injuries so they can stay in the game.
Recognizing that each athlete’s biomechanics are unique, the youth assessment program studies everyone’s gait, muscle activations, posture, movement patterns and more. Each athlete is also assessed based on individual sport-specific movements.
With the information gleaned from the analyses, the practitioners develop a personalized plan, which includes exercises and training to avoid future injury and improve performance in their specific sport. Any existing injuries are also treated.
Dr. Joe Kottoor, founder of Leaside Sports Medicine, located at 1929 Bayview Ave., Suite 203, describes the clinic as “a one-stop-shop.”
With a staff comprising physiotherapists, a sports medicine doctor, chiropractors, and massage therapists, athletes have access to high level training and care in one spot.
Kottoor himself has over 20 years of experience working as a chiropractor, rehabilitation specialist, certified personal trainer, medical acupuncturist and Certified Active Release Techniques® Provider. He has worked extensively with athletes from the NBA, NHL, MLB, NFL, MLS, and with Olympians.
The program has seen outstanding results with youth athletes participating in multiple sports including baseball, volleyball, hockey, soccer, and flag football.
Witnessing many athletes on opposing teams suffering multiple injuries, Claire Tutching appreciates that the youth assessment program has given her the treatment and tools to prevent being sidelined.
For further details on the Youth Assessment Program offered at Leaside Sports Medicine, check out leasidesportsmedicine.com. Many health benefits programs cover physiotherapy and chiropractic care.
