Focus on Pediatrics: Train first, take child along second
Focus on Pediatrics: Train first, take child along second
Use equipment without child first
Devices such as baby carriers, joggers, and trailers make it possible for adults to continue their exercise regimen even with small children in the house, yet not without the risk of injury to both. When you add a child to a sport such as jogging, cycling, or hiking, it changes the dynamics, says Scott Bautch, DC, president of the American Chiropractic Association’s Occupational Health Council in Arlington, VA. Normally when jogging downhill, people lean backward. Yet with a baby jogger, they tend to lean forward, increasing their chance of falling.
To prevent injury, adults should train with the recreational equipment and get used to exercising with the additional weight of the child, says Bautch. They should hook their trailer to the bike and put something in it that is similar in weight to their child, he advises. Then they should ride, preferably the route they will take with their child, because they are familiar with the terrain. "With a trailer, turning a bike is different; and with weight behind the bike, braking is different as well," says Bautch.
It’s also important for people to know their fitness level. Often when a child is old enough to ride along, mothers think it is a good time to get in shape and they push too hard, says Bautch. A trailer puts strain on knees, hips, and ankles, so gradual buildup is important. When people train at the gym, they can stop their workout when they are too tired, but that is not possible on a bike ride with a child.
The same rules apply to joggers and backpacks, says Bautch. Just as hikers fill a pack and carry it on long walks before an extended trip, parents should train before they carry the baby on a hike.
Good equipment, in addition to proper training, also will prevent injuries. Bautch recommends the following guidelines when selecting backpack carriers, trailers, and joggers:
- Trailers.
Make sure that the trailer has a harness to keep the child securely fastened especially during an abrupt stop when his or her face may slam forward. Make sure that it fastens in a way that is too difficult for a child to figure out so that he or she will not unhook it during the bike ride. A screen over the front of the trailer will protect children from flying pebbles and insects. For stability and traction, the trailer should have large tires, recommends Bautch.
- Baby joggers.
These rolling pushcarts with handlebars should have handbrakes and a locking mechanism so that the jogger will not roll away during a stop. Like trailers, the baby jogger should have a shoulder harness and large, bicycle-style tires for stability and control. Also, it should have a screen to protect the child from flying objects.
- Backpack-style baby carrier.
Backpacks designed to carry a child should have wide straps for shoulders and the waist. "If it only has shoulder straps, the person carrying the child will have a lot of upper-body problems," says Bautch. A person should be able to slide three fingers under the shoulder straps to ensure that there is not too much weight on the shoulders. Make sure the carrier has a harness to keep the child’s head and spine stable as well.
An adult should never run or jog with a baby in a backpack-style carrier, says Bautch. A small child is not developed enough to withstand the jerking of the head and neck, and it could cause damage to the child’s head, spine, and brain.
No matter what recreational device is used to carry a child, it is important to make sure that they are developmentally ready for the activity. Typically, the child should be at least 18 months to 2 years old, advises Bautch.
For more information about teaching adults how to use recreational devices safely, contact:
- American Chiropractic Association, 1701 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209. Telephone: (800) 986-4636. Web: www.amerchiro.org.
Subscribe Now for Access
You have reached your article limit for the month. We hope you found our articles both enjoyable and insightful. For information on new subscriptions, product trials, alternative billing arrangements or group and site discounts please call 800-688-2421. We look forward to having you as a long-term member of the Relias Media community.