{"id":11935,"date":"2015-05-27T21:10:58","date_gmt":"2015-05-27T21:10:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/?p=11935"},"modified":"2024-02-16T21:01:03","modified_gmt":"2024-02-16T21:01:03","slug":"the-dangers-of-sports-specialization-for-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/the-dangers-of-sports-specialization-for-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"The dangers of sports specialization for kids","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

Sports specialization \u2014 selecting a single sport and focusing on mastering it to the exclusion of other sports or activities \u2014 is an increasingly common phenomenon in youth sports.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not entirely surprising. The popularity of professional sports only continues to grow. And kids \u2014 and their parents \u2014 often dream of landing a college scholarship based on athletic prowess. Or even of someday joining their sports heroes on the field.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a high level of commitment required to be successful in professional sports,\u201d says\u00a0Josh Purses, DO<\/a>, sports medicine specialist with MultiCare Orthopedics & Sports Medicine<\/a>. \u201cThat commitment often bleeds over into younger athletes before they are really ready for it developmentally.\u201d<\/p>\n

While it\u2019s laudable for children and teens to set goals for themselves and work hard to reach them, there are a number of dangers that lurk under the surface when a child specializes in a sport at too early an age.<\/p>\n

The burnout factor<\/h2>\n

Dr. Purses notes that it is not uncommon to see children specializing in a sport as young as age 6, particularly in areas such as ice skating and gymnastics. It\u2019s hard to imagine a child that young understanding the true implications of making such a serious commitment to anything, sports or otherwise.<\/p>\n

But whether the child has chosen their sport, or their parents guided them into it, one major concern when it comes to kids and sports specialization is the increased likelihood of burnout.<\/p>\n

Children who specialize in a single sport not only play that sport year-round, they are often playing in multiple leagues at the same time.<\/p>\n

\u201cA child might play on his school team, but also play on a community recreational or select team at the same time,\u201d says Dr. Purses.<\/p>\n

Kids focused on a single sport might also have extra coaching sessions, private lessons or spend hours practicing outside of official team practice times. And, as children grow older, the amount of time they spend trying to perfect one sport could backfire.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to promote lifelong exercise,\u201d says Dr. Purses. \u201cIf they\u2019re specializing in a sport when they\u2019re really young, and they burn out, they often don\u2019t want to do sports of any kind when they\u2019re older, not just the one sport they\u2019ve been focused on.\u201d<\/p>\n

The rising rate of injury<\/h2>\n

\u201cChoosing one sport limits you,\u201d says Dr. Purses. \u201cSports specialization puts the focus on fewer muscle groups than if kids are participating in more than one sport. This leads to overuse, which leads to injury.\u201d<\/p>\n

Treating overuse injuries \u2014 for example, shoulder and elbow injuries among baseball players\u2014 is on the rise in pediatric sports medicine, which Dr. Purses and other experts in sports medicine around the country attribute to athletes specializing in a sport at too-early an age.<\/p>\n

Sports, not sport<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s nothing wrong with getting your child involved with sports and other activities at a relatively young age. The key, for their physical and emotional health, is to keep their activity schedule well-rounded.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe healthy thing is to pick more than one sport to play,\u201d says Dr. Purses. \u201cIt\u2019s okay to play all year round. But choose a different sport each season.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot all good pitchers started out at 6 or 7,\u201d he continues. \u201cIt\u2019s more about learning sports skills, then learning to be a good pitcher. Ultimately talent rises to the top, whether you start at 6 or 12.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ways to avoid burnout<\/h2>\n

Dr. Purses recommends parents use these techniques to help your young athlete avoid burnout.<\/p>\n