Many parents and kids believe that specializing in a single sport will give them the advantage and opportunities needed to gain scholarships, but could this be the thing ruining their chances? 

According to the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, while there are benefits, such as increased training, there are also many disadvantages involving decreased motor skills, burnout, and overuse injuries. Different sports allow motor skills to develop, which will lead to more success in the long term as it increases coordination and prevents injury.

Research also shows that early sports specialization has led to burnout as the pressure to specialize is driven from parents and coaches, not the athletes themselves. This can lead to an athlete feeling stuck in a sport they don’t love, but put all their energy into. 

“Specializing in a sport at a young age can be harmful in my opinion. It can lead to overuse type injuries in the young athlete,” says athletic trainer John Messinger. “For example, their bodies are still growing and developing, and some overuse injuries can lead to growth plate fractures.”

Due to the excessive use of the same muscles, athletes are twice as likely to undergo these overuse injuries. Though early sports specialization provides experiences and training opportunities, the risks go beyond the athlete as they impact them mentally, physically and put stress on their families.

“The National Athletic Trainers’ Association recommends young athletes should not play a single sport more than eight months per year. Young athletes should spend time away from organized sports 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,” said Messinger.