Dear Doctor,

My son Richie is trying out for the Junior Olympic Ribbon Twirling Team. I've read horrible stories about small children doing permanent damage to their fragile little bodies by participating in sports too soon. Richie is only ten, and after a grueling hour of twirling his wrist becomes sore and limp. Also, his uniform consists of a binding leotard and multicolored tights--- and are they tight! Could they stunt his development? My husband says "boys will be boys" and is encouraging our son's athletic tendencies. I think Richie's on the road to some serious disabilities. Please settle our feud.

Dorothy
Pensacola, FL

Your concerns are healthy ones, Dottie. Parents should be aware of potential health risks of childhood sports activities. My own parents were woefully uninformed and, despite my protests, forced me to join the junior jumping-jack league. During practice, Coach ignored my complaints of lightheadedness. Inevitably, tragedy occurred at the Annual Jumping Jack-Off in Des Plaines, Illinois. I passed out in the finals, fracturing my coccyx when I hit the floor. The result? I spent much of my teen years in a back brace.

About Richie. On no account should you let him continue with the ribbon-twirling. All those ribbons flying through the air--- its a one-way ticket to a paper cut tragedy.