Factors That Drive Youth Specialization

Abstract

Background:Specialization in young athletes has been linked to overuse injuries, burnout, and decreased satisfaction. Despite continued opposition from the medical community, epidemiological studies suggest the frequency is increasing.Hypothesis:Extrinsic pressures in addition to individual aspirations drive this national trend in sports specialization.Study Design:Descriptive epidemiology study.Level of Evidence:Level 3.Methods:A novel instrument assessing the driving factors behind youth specialization was generated by an interdisciplinary team of medical professionals. Surveys were administered to patients and athletes in the department’s sports medicine clinic.Results:The survey was completed by 235 athletes between 7 and 18 years of age, with a mean age of 13.8 ± 3.0 years. Athletes specialized at a mean age of 8.1 years, and 31% of athletes played a single sport while 58% played multiple sports but had a preferred sport. More than 70% of athletes had collegiate or professional ambitions, and 60% played their primary sport for 9 or more months per year, with players who had an injury history more likely to play year-round (P < 0.01). Approximately one-third of players reported being told by a coach not to participate in other sports, with specialized athletes reporting this significantly more often (P = 0.04). Half of the athletes reported that sports interfered with their academic performance, with older players stating this more frequently (P < 0.01).Conclusion:Young athletes are increasingly specializing in a single sport before starting high school. While intrinsic drive may identify healthy aspirations, extrinsic influences are prevalent in specialized athletes.Clinical Relevance:Extrinsic factors contributing to youth specialization were identified and compounded the deleterious sequelae of youth athlete specialization.

Sport Specialization and Fitness and Functional Task Performance Among Youth Competitive Gymnasts

“…Regardless of whether they were classified as moderately or highly specialized, the gymnasts in our sample had high training volumes that exceeded recommendations from several medical organizations. All of the moderately and highly specialized gymnasts reported that they trained more than 8 months of the year, which was higher than the 60% described by youth athletes participating in other sports, 18 perhaps demonstrating the early specialization often required in gymnastics. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that regardless of sport, youth athletes should take at least 3 months off from their primary sport to allow for physical and psychological recovery; however, they can still be involved in other physical activities.…”

Can We Reduce the Epidemic of Elbow Injuries in Youth Throwers?

“…13 The relative risk of injury was significantly higher in ultracompetitive regions known to produce high-level collegiate prospects. 18,19 As health care providers become increasingly aware of the epidemic of elbow injuries in young baseball players, accurate distribution of preventative information to the baseball community is necessary. This begins with expanding the role of clinicians from a focus on treatment to a focus on preventative education.…”

The Association Between Parental Beliefs About Sport Specialization And Athlete Sport Specialization Classification

“…57,113 Coaches also appear to be an additional source of pressure, especially in the context of persuading an athlete to cease playing other sports. 13 However, not all coaches may share this perspective. Recent research showed that approximately 67% (n=170) of youth sport coaches believed that yearround participation in a single sport was either "very" or "extremely" likely to increase an athlete's injury risk.…”

“…However, investigations examining the influences leading an athlete to specialize have only begun to reach the surface. Padaki et al 13 identified two external pressures that are prevalent among specialized athletes: parents and coaches. Specialized athletes were more likely to report being told to not participate in other sports by their coaches and parents.…”

“…Specialized athletes were more likely to report being told to not participate in other sports by their coaches and parents. 13 Additionally, parents of specialized athletes report directly and indirectly (i.e. paying for personal training) influencing their child to specialize with the expectation that they would play at the collegiate or professional level.…”