Is Competition Healthy for Children in Sports?

Guest Bio: Dr. Paul Stricker, MD

Dr. Paul Stricker is one of a small number of doctors in the US who is board certified in both sports medicine and pediatrics.  He was an All-American swimmer in college at University of Missouri-Rolla, completed pediatrics at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, and a sports medicine fellowship at UCLA.  He was team physician for UCLA and Vanderbilt University, and reached a unique and coveted position when he was selected by the Olympic committee as a physician for the United States team at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. 



He previously served as President of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on Sports Medicine & Fitness and editorial Board member for Healthy Children magazine.  He has been selected as one of America’s Top Pediatricians and America’s Best Doctors.  Dr. Stricker has authored numerous medical publications and a book for parents and coaches entitled Sports Success Rx!—Your Child’s Prescription for the Best Experience.  He has been cited in such national publications as US News & World Report, USA Today, parenting magazines, and has been featured on ESPN and other television programs discussing ways to increase activity and decrease sports pressure for children and teenagers.  Dr. Stricker is still a competitive swimmer, and he currently resides and has his medical practice in San Diego, CA, at Scripps Clinic, an internationally recognized multi-specialty medical group and clinical research institution.