The association between sport specialisation and movement competency in youth: a systematic review

Abstract

Negative long-term outcomes have been reported following sport specialisation including increased injury risk. The underlying mechanisms remain unclear; however, fewer exposures to broad ranging movement patterns and reductions in movement competency have been suggested. This review synthesised the evidence to examine if an association is present between sport specialisation and movement competency. A systematic electronic database search was conducted using combinations of the key words early speciali?ation, sport speciali?ation, early sport speciali?ation, single sport, high school, youth, adolescen*, movement competenc*, movement ability, movement control, movement pattern, physical performance, coordination, fitness, motor skill, motor development, movement performance, neuromuscular control, balance, asymmetr*. Thirteen articles met the inclusion criteria and were included. Four studies reported no significant differences in movement competency based on specialisation status, while seven showed some measures of movement competency differed but not others. The remaining two studies concluded that adult athletes who participated in two or more sports during high school exhibited better movement competence than those who specialised in a single sport. Multisport athletes commonly displayed improved jump mechanics and performance compared to those competing in a single sport (6/9 studies). Consistent differences in movement competence based on level of sport specialisation were not shown; however, sport specialisation may result in poorer jump mechanics/performance than playing multiple sports. Further research is needed across a greater range of sports, and consistent definitions of both movement competence and the level of sport specialisation are required to improve our ability to compare and contrast different studies.

High Sport Specialization Is Associated With More Musculoskeletal Injuries in Canadian High School Students

“…22 Injuries in youth who specialize in one sport may increase due to periods of rapid growth, high repetition of sport specific movement patterns, and/or compromised development of foundational movement capabilities. 23 However, being highly specialized did not increase the likelihood of reporting lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries or concussion. This contrasts with several previous studies in high school students reporting links to a history of knee and other lower extremity injuries.…”

Youth Basketball Coaches’ Perceptions and Implementation of Fundamental Movement Skills Training: Toward a Realist Evaluation

“…Moreover, it demonstrates that, again contextual dimensions related to coaching knowledge and dispositions are tilted towards sportsspecific skill development potentially at the cost of long-term development and player welfare. The literature (DiStefano et al, 2017;Pasulka et al, 2017;Zoellner et al, 2021) has found for instance, injury, and burnout syndrome (Mostafavifar et al, 2013). In youth basketball players, Leppänen et al (2015) found a high prevalence of overuse injury to the knee among both males and females.…”

Higher Family Affluence is Associated With Multi-Sport Participation Among Irish Youth

“…Early specialization refers to a child’s engagement in extensive and intensive adult-like sports training before they are physically ready to do so; this early specialization is generally assumed to be prior to the age of 12 years ( Downing et al, 2022 ; Jayanthi et al, 2020 ; Mosher et al, 2020 ). In recent years, the impact of young people specializing prematurely in a single sport has received much attention ( DiSanti & Erickson, 2021 ; Mosher et al, 2020 ; Zoellner et al, 2021 ), with different professional groups advocating for multi-sport participation until at least early adolescence (e.g., International Olympic Committee, Bergeron et al, 2015 ; American Academy of Pediatrics, Brenner, 2016 ).…”