By the end of the course, a successful learner will be able to:

• Define the terms pediatric athlete, adolescent athlete, Masters athlete, and Senior athlete.
• Describe issues unique to the immature athlete (child and adolescent), including bone development, psychology, and parental involvement.
• Contrast concussion management in pediatric athletes and mature athletes.
• Compare and contrast physiologic and performance characteristics between male and female athletes in pre-adolescence and post-adolescence.
• List pediatric musculoskeletal pathologies that occur in relation to sport participation.
• Describe natural changes that occur in athletic performance throughout the lifespan.
• Identify peak years for muscular strength, endurance, pulmonary and cardiac function.
• Identify several common injuries and issues typical in weekend warrior athletes.
• Relate joint injury, prior surgery and osteochondral pathology to early (<age 50) incidence of total joint replacement in athletes.
• Differentiate by sport type, activities suitable for those with total joint replacement as suggested by the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons.
• Compare and contrast flexibility, strength, balance and motor control by decade, and offer systems-based rationale for these changes.
• Suggest several forms of appropriate exercise for those with osteoarthritis in weight-bearing joints.
• Suggest performance alterations to golf for those with total joints.
• Compare and contrast rehabilitation considerations for pediatric, adult, and senior athletes.
• Offer a framework for safe and appropriate return to sport for athletes of all ages.
• Evaluate differences in time to return to sport/athletics between younger and older athletes.