Celebrate Youth Sport Specialization Awareness Week
The National Athletic Trainers’ Association has declared the third full week of October as National Youth Sport Specialization Awareness Week. The goal of this week is to raise awareness of what youth sports specialization really is, provide practical information for parents, athletes and coaches, and to help change the culture of youth sports – because health is the ultimate competitive advantage. Join us this week to learn more about what youth sports specialization is, why many youth athletes (and parents) are motivated to specialize early, myths about specialization, and recommendations on how youth athletes can enjoy participating in sports safely.
Sport specialization is defined as intensive year-round participation in a single sport, at the exclusion of others and is now seen in kids as young as 4 years old. The motivation for youth athletes to specialization early is typically driven by a desire to make a certain team, earn a scholarship or play at an elite level.
Many parents and athletes alike don’t realize that their child is, in fact, specialized. With the rigorous training schedules, skills camps, practices and tournaments that are common in youth sports today, children are simply not provided enough time to rest and recover. This can lead to social isolation, poor academic performance, increased anxiety and stress, chronic fatigue, decreased family time and free play, increased risk of acute and overuse injury and athlete burnout.
Stay tuned for more information on how you can help reduce the risk of sports specialization and keep your athlete healthy and safe.