Implications for Training in Youth: Is Specialization Benefiting Kids?

摘要

Early sports specialization has been a controversial topic in the field of sports medicine, training, and conditioning. Recent studies report increased sports related injuries in single sport specialized athletes compared with multisport specialized athletes. Two studies demonstrate the proportions of athletes who focused on a single sport in early ages and advanced to elite level in their later careers are <1 c1/4), furthermore, performing multiple sports was identified as an indicator for greater future athletic success. Synthesizing available evidence, participating in multiple sports seems more beneficial than focusing on a single sport. It is important to provide adequate recovery time for pediatric and adolescent athletes because they are in a growth spurt process. Finally, because a history of previous injury is evidenced as a risk factor for future sports-related injuries, preventive approaches such as resistance training need to be implemented within a training regimen for youth.