Downside to specializing in one sport

[InSider]

1. Children who specialize in a single sport account for 50% of overuse injuries in young athletes according to pediatric orthopedic specialists
2. A study by OhioStateUniversity found that children who specialized early in a single sport led to higher rates of adult physical inactivity. Those who commit to one sport at a young age are often the first to quit, and suffer a lifetime of consequences.
3. In a study of 1200 youth athletes, Dr Neeru Jayanthi of LoyolaUniversity found that early specialization in a single sport is one of the strongest predictors of injury. Athletes in the study who specialized were 70% to 93% more likely to be injured than children who played multiple sports!
4. Children who specialize early are at a far greater risk for burnout due to stress, decreased motivation and lack of enjoyment
5. Early sport specialization in female adolescents is associated with increased risk of anterior knee pain disorders including PFP, Osgood Schlatter and Sinding Larsen-Johansson compared to multi-sport athletes, and may lead to higher rates of future ACL tears (added May 2014)

The above was taken from the website, changingthegameproject.com. I would like to opine and/or expand on these points, one at a time.

1. Children who specialize, at the exclusion of other physical activities will develop muscle imbalances due to the constant work of the muscles that sport requires. Now, I believe that if an athlete also participates in a workout program that targets these imbalances, I believe these overuse injuries would be far less. However, I feel that many student athletes and/or their parents, feel that their team workouts and practices are enough physical activity. For general health and well being, this may be true. But it's not true when it comes to balancing things out.

2. I believe youth sport specialization leads to adult inactivity due to a couple different factors. If you only ever become proficient at one sport, the likelihood of you pursuing another in adulthood is slim. Yes, some people do it, but I believe they are the exceptions. Also, if you specialize at a young age, I also believe there is a good chance that you will burn out and not want to play that sport again. Again, I believe those that do, are the exceptions.

3. I believe this falls in line with point #1.

4. As far as burnout, lack of enjoyment, and stress, well, I believe this is absolutely true in the athletes who play their sport year round. That is not including the athletes who take time off from their sport, but continue weight training or speed and agility. I believe it is specific to the kids who are on teams that practice and compete all year. Once again, I believe there are a few rare student athletes that will not experience this, and those kids are a different breed. Those kids are the Jenna Lilleys and Monica Abbotts of fastpitch. Even if their parents don't see it or acknowledge it, I believe a majority of specialized student athletes feel this at some point.

5. I believe the higher rate of ACL tears is an issue that can be remedied with an excellent program to strengthen opposing and surrounding muscles of the knee and hip joints.

All that being said, I believe that specialization is not necessarily a good thing, but I'm also not convinced it's a bad thing, either. What I do know is that some of the top fastpitch players in Ohio play other sports. I also believe that playing 12 months out of the year is not really benefiting the players.

For those of you who coach and play year round, I ask you why? What is the benefit? Is it fear of being left behind?

For you parents, I ask you why you allow it? Or do you believe it is what's best?

 

[FastBat]

My opinion on the whole thing is, I think adults over think this stuff too much! I can say my dd honestly only plays softball, but at 11 years old, we have gone above and beyond in trying other sports; soccer, competitive gymnastics, swimming, basketball, and begged for karate at one point! She does enjoy golf and down hill skiing, so technically those are her other "sports". We will also encourage her to try volleyball and cross country. As parents, you do the best you can, but kids will be kids and we just have to follow their lead. My dd gets straight A's, loves to read, and has many hobbies! Just because those aren't sports, doesn't mean it's a bad thing. JMHO!

 

[maddball44]

I don't get it..... kids that specialize make up 50% of the overuse injuries. Then logic woulds say kids that play multiple sports make up the other 50%; right? And if everyone played multiple sports they would account for 100% of them.

My dd has, in the past, tried several other things. She only enjoys one enough to dedicate herself to it. I'm happy she's found something she loves and it has motivated her to set a goal and she is working hard to achieve it. After all, that's what we what for our dd's. Learn how to work for something. It doesn't have to be a sport. We wouldn't tell a musician that they require other interests at the same intensity as music. That's hard work man and requires a life style type commitment to achieve.

99% of my dd's friends have found nothing. They're just floundering through life. No direction; no goals. Thank God she found softball!

It's great there are kids that enjoy multiple sports. That doesn't mean everyone does and it certainly doesn't mean my dd is destined to quite in life.

 

[InSider]

I believe this is more in the context of dissuading the forced choosing of one sport to the exclusion of all others. Obviously, some children only like and play one sport. I would like to believe that those children participate in other activities that are not necessarily sports.

 

[coachjwb]

No doubt that overuse injuries and burnout can be downsides of specializing ... but there can be obvious upsides as well. While my DD loved and wanted to specialize in softball by the time she reached high school, I would not have discouraged her to participate in other sports either had she wanted to do that. I do think that in this day and age, that it is a very rare and exceptional athlete who can truly excel in more than one sport, but we all can cite examples and it certainly does happen.