The Pediatric Athlete.

This book is a summary of the proceedings of a November 1988 seminar called "The Pediatric Athlete: Guidelines for Participation," sponsored by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. In this text the various writers summarize factual information available and present consensual statements for areas in which factual information and research are lacking. The book's 28 chapters were written by a diverse group of professionals that includes physicians, psychologists, exercise physiologists, physical therapists, and educators. All of the chapters are relevant (some more than others), and each has a reference list. Because the chapters are brief, the variations in style are not a problem.

This book covers many diverse topics, reflecting the range of subjects involved in athletics for the child. The book is organized into eight topic areas: training, nutrition and drugs, medical care, sport psychology and organization, musculoskeletal injury, overuse syndromes, rehabilitation, and protective equipment. The chapters include information on the effects of the conditioning of athletes who are children, as compared with adult athletes. The authors cover dietary requirements, weight control, fluid and electrolyte balance, use of drugs, and ergogenic aids. The chapter on preparticipation evaluation is particularly thorough and includes standards for evaluation. Guidelines for the participation of children wo have chronic illness also are provided.

The authors of the section on musculoskeletal injury review specific injury patterns by anatomic area and cover all sports. Unusual in a text such as this is the discussion of overuse injuries and stress fractures in young athletes. Another strength of this text is the section on sport psychology and organization; this area is discussed in terms of its historical context and current situation. The authors also discuss the influence of and need for positive role models. The book's weakest chapters are on rehabilitation and protective equipment. This may be because there is not much prediatrics-oriented literature in these areas.

As the editors state in the preface, this book is intended for use by the many individuals who are involved with young athletes. Physical therapists who work in the areas of general pediatrics and sports pediatrics would find this book extremely informational. It would make a valuable addition to their practices.