Young athletes who focus on one sport risk this

If you’re a teenager and training for just one sport year-round, you may be at risk for injury or burnout, according to a warning issued by the National Athletic Trainer’s Association. And a local orthopedic surgeon thinks that advice makes sense.

“I agree with the athletic trainers, and I encourage young children to engage in multiple athletic endeavors for several reasons, if they are interested in sports,” said Paul Dimond, MD, who works at Falmouth Orthopedic Center and performs surgery at Falmouth Hospital.

First, Dr. Dimond said young athletes who focus on just one sport develop muscles specifically for that sport, and they don’t develop other muscles designed to protect them overall. For this reason, the National Athletic Trainer’s Association cautioned that “with too much specialization comes the risk of injury.”

Second, Dr. Dimond believes young athletes forced into just one sport are seldom as happy. They may find too much stress and anxiety trying to perform in that one sport, he said. If they don’t perform well, if they don’t meet expectations, that disappointment can sting.

“I’ve always felt that young athletes should be encouraged to play more than one sport for the emotional health benefits, as well as the physical benefits. Let them play soccer, tennis, pickleball and football—for example—so they have a wide range of interests, likes and avenues as well as outlets with other friend groups. I think that mental element is so important.”

Parents and Other Adults

To draw attention to the risks associated with concentrating on just one sport, the National Athletic Trainer’s Association created Sport Specialization Awareness Week.

At a press briefing for Sport Specialization Awareness Week, Eric Post, manager of the Sports Medicine Research Laboratory for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, said "Specialization at an early age is not really necessary to play at that elite level. It actually is associated with worse outcomes in terms of injury and burnout from sport."

Parents, coaches and teachers need to key into the message, which Dr. Dimond agreed is important to share with all audiences, not just kids.

“Increasing awareness and getting the message out is important,” he said, “and I support the guidelines from the National Athletic Trainer’s Association.

“An 8-year-old shouldn’t be spending more than eight hours a week practicing and playing soccer. And everyone should incorporate recovery time into their athletic schedules, even children. Kids need to rest and decompress from their sporting activities. And they should enjoy playing multiple sports for their overall mental health. I think the following guidelines are very good for young athletes’ physical and emotional health.”

National Athletic Trainers’ Association Guidelines

1. Delay specializing in a single sport for as long as possible: Sport specialization is often described as participating and/or training for a single sport year-round. Adolescent and young athletes should strive to participate, or sample, a variety of sports. This recommendation supports general physical fitness, athleticism and reduces injury risk in athletes.
2. One team at a time: Adolescent and young athletes should participate in one organized sport per season. Many adolescent and young athletes participate or train year-round in a single sport, while simultaneously competing in other organized sports. Total volume of organized sport participation per season is an important risk factor for injury.
3. Less than eight months per year: Adolescent and young athletes should not play a single sport more than eight months per year.
4. No more hours/week than age in years: Adolescent and young athletes should not participate in organized sport and/or activity more hours per week than their age (i.e., a 12-year-old athlete should not participate in more than 12 hours per week of organized sport).
5. Two days of rest per week: Adolescent and young athletes should have a minimum of two days off per week from organized training and competition. Athletes should not participate in other organized team sports, competitions and/or training on rest and recovery days.
6. Rest and recovery time from organized sport participation: Adolescent and young athletes should spend time away from organized sport and/or activity at the end of each competitive season. This allows for both physical and mental recovery, promotes health and well-being and minimizes injury risk and burnout/dropout