Overuse injuries are on the rise. Rather than playing a variety of sports, more children are specializing in a single sport, and even single positions within that sport. Performing the same motions repetitively can injure still-growing muscles and bones. Additionally, year-round play and increasingly competitive atmospheres can make young athletes more susceptible to physical and psychological harm.
To help prevent overuse injuries and burn out, young athletes should play a variety of sports. Time off can also benefit children in the long run. Studies show that children involved in intense competition within a sport for a decade are more likely to experience burn out by the time they reach college. I recommend children take at least two months off from their main sport of interest to explore other activities and hobbies. Research even shows that those who take up a sport in their late teens can catch up very quickly to those who started playing years earlier. And don’t forget to keep it fun by taking the focus off of winning and performing.
