COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. -- A six-week, high-intensity program called Sportsmetrics is training high school athletes to jump, stop and go, injury free. Sportsmetrics is a scientifically proven jump training program that helps athletes avoid getting hurt.
Spectrum Health is hosting Sportsmetrics camps at schools across West Michigan this summer. Pattie Beggs, an athletic trainer from Spectrum Health, tells FOX 17 that last year alone there were 10 athletes at Comstock Park High that suffered a serious injury. Three of those athletes suffered torn ACLs.
Pattie Beggs, athletic trainer with Spectrum Health Medical Group
That's why Beggs says she's so passionate about Spectrum Health's Sportsmetrics camps. They help student athletes improve their speed, agility and strength and reduce rates of injury.
Mackenzie Broekstra is in her second year participating in Spectrum Health's Sportsmetrics camp at Comstock Park. A junior at Comstock Park High School, Broekstra is a triathlete who loves staying in shape. She is involved in cross country, basketball and track and hopes to breeze through high school without a serious injury like an ACL tear.
Mackenzie Broekstra
"Last year in this camp, for sure I was in the best shape that I had been in all summer," Broekstra said. "Coming back this year [...] my form is definitely improved."
Beggs is working with Broekstra and 18 other student athletes this summer at Comstock Park High school, working with them on their muscle memory, jumping, accelerating and decelerating with good form.
Student athletes warming up
"We want to make sure, you know, how to start stop properly, switch directions, where their body is in space and jump and land correctly," Beggs said.
For $50, athletes will train two hours a day, three days a week for six weeks. Beggs says the price doesn't compare to what parents would pay if their child suffered a serious injury.
"You’re looking at thousands of dollars of rehab (and) surgical fees if they tear their ACL compared to the low costs we offer to build those mechanics to prevent those injuries from occurring," Beggs said.
Student athletes preparing to jump
Spectrum's Sportsmetrics camps are only offered in the summer.
Along with Comstock Park, Beggs tells FOX 17, Spectrum hosts camps for students at North Pointe Christian, Calvin Christian and Lakeview, just to name a few.
If interested in signing up next summer, contact your school's athletic director, or call 616-267-8860 and ask for Megan Snow. You can also email her by clicking here.
