Across
the country, athletes are starting to specialize in a chosen sport at
younger and younger ages. But how young is too young?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a clinical report
published in the Pediatrics journal last month examining this topic.
The short answer is — athletes should not specialize in a single sport
at least until they reach puberty, and preferably not until later in
adolescence (approximately 15-16 years of age).
Joel S. Brenner, MD, MPH, FAAP and chair of the AAP Council on Sports
Medicine and Fitness, was the lead author of the report, which culled
information from numerous studies to help advise pediatricians on what
recommendations that should be giving to young athletes and their
parents.
The biggest risks associated with early specialization are intense
training leading to overuse injuries; being socially isolated from their
peers; burnout, anxiety and depression; missing out on exposure to
other sports that they may find more enjoyable and rewarding.
The report cites nine pieces of advice for pediatricians to offer to the athletes, parents and coaches:
1. The primary focus for young athletes should be on having fun.
2. Participate in multiple sports until at least puberty.
3. Specializing in a single sport later leads to a higher chance of accomplishing athletic goals.
4. Early diversification and later specialization leads to greater
chance of lifetime sports involvement, lifetime physical fitness and
possibly elite participation.
5. If a young athlete does decide to specialize, it’s important for
them to discuss their goals to determine if they are appropriate and
realistic.
6. It’s important for parents to closely monitor their child’s training and coaching environment.
7. Young athletes should have at least three months off from their
primary sport during the year, in increments of at least one month, to
allow for physical and psychological recovery.
8. Young athletes should have at least 1-2 days off per week from their primary sport.
9. Athletes pursuing intensive training should be closely monitored for physical, psychological growth and maturation.