from American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Gone are the days of pick-up basketball games and free play. Kids are increasingly specializing in sports. With that said, two studies presented to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggests young people specializing in a single sport, especially if driven by parents, can lead to injury and burnout. In one study, more than one-half of parents encouraged their children to specialize in a single sport, in part because the parents hoped their children would play college or professional sports. Although physical activity is beneficial for overall health, specialization can decrease enjoyment because of excessive training, as well as risk of repetitive motion injury.