Park City Hospital launches series to enhance sports performance for young females

Park City Soccer Club Photo: Courtesy of Shelley Gillwald

"The speaker series aims to help young female athletes understand their unique anatomy and physiology, and how that applies so they can tailor their training, recovery, and nutrition; increase their strength, optimize their sports performance, and prevent common injuries,” explained Dr. Carrie Jaworski, a sports performance physician at Intermountain Health, who is spearheading the initiative.

Park City, UT – Intermountain Park City Hospital announced today that it will host a three-part speaker series aimed at enhancing sports performance and promoting overall well-being among girls aged 12-18.

This educational initiative is free of charge, and will take place at the hospital’s Blair Education Center, located at 900 Round Valley Drive.

Starting on April 30, the series will feature female providers from the hospital’s sports performance center, each bringing expert insights tailored to the unique needs of young female athletes.

“The speaker series aims to help young female athletes understand their unique anatomy and physiology, and how that applies so they can tailor their training, recovery, and nutrition; increase their strength, optimize their sports performance, and prevent common injuries,” said Dr. Carrie Jaworski, a sports performance physician at Intermountain Health, who is spearheading the initiative.

Dr. Jaworski emphasized the importance of jump starting knowledge of physiology for women in sports, “By providing education early in a female athlete’s life, we can help set them up for long term success and continued love of sport and physical activity,” she added.

The series kicks off with Dr. Jaworski’s presentation titled “Staying Balanced as a Young Female Athlete – Optimizing Performance While Avoiding Pitfalls,” scheduled for 6 pm on April 30.

The subsequent sessions will continue to address key aspects of sports performance:

• On May 14, Alexandra Krause, RD, CD, a sports dietitian, will lead a session on “Using Food as Fuel, Considerations for the Young Female Athlete,” highlighting the critical role of nutrition in sports.
• The final talk on June 11 will feature Robyn Hase, ATC, a certified athletic trainer, and Marlene Hatch, PT, the physical therapy manager at Intermountain. Their discussion, “Keeping the Young Female Athlete in the Game: Strength and Conditioning Tips for Injury Prevention and Better Performance,” will provide practical advice on maintaining peak physical condition and preventing injuries.

This series not only aims to educate athletes and their parents on the physical aspects of sports but also strives to build a supportive community where young athletes can thrive. Registration is not required to attend the series. To learn more, visit the Park City Hospital website.