Children are often asked what they would like to be when they grow up. Among many job titles, “professional athlete” is often listed. What is different about that title, though, is that children, parents, and coaches take steps to try to make that childhood dream a reality. Part of that reality is specializing in a sport.
Sports specialization can be measured in the Jayanthi 3-item scale:
- The athlete trains and/ or participates in their primary sport for more than 8 months out of the year.
- The athlete quits other sports to focus on their primary sport.
- And the primary sport is considered more important than other sports.
If a youth athlete identifies with all of the three statements, they are considered highly specialized.
The Consequences of Sports Specialization
There are significantly higher rates of overuse injuries in athletes that specialize early. A recent study by the Cleveland Clinic found that athletes under the age of 18 who specialized in one sport were 81% more likely to have an overuse injury compared to athletes who played multiple different sports.
The other major issue with early specialization is athlete burnout. It is more likely for a single sport/specialization athlete to eventually burn out and quit the sport altogether compared to those who pursue multiple interests. This can occur in junior high or high school. A study conducted by University of Kansas Medical Center and Tulane University School of Medicine found that “specializers” were more likely than “samplers” to experience higher levels of burnout including: reduced sense of accomplishment, greater exhaustion and sport devaluation.
Early specialization can impact a youth athlete’s overall athleticism. An athlete can excel at certain movement patterns, but they are less likely to be able to perform different types of movements as well. In fact, the athlete might struggle to meet different athletic demands outside of their specialized sport.
The Need for an Off-Season
In order to reduce the likelihood of injury and burnout in athletes, an offseason with intentional rest from the primary sport is essential. This could look different for everyone. It could be participating in another sport that challenges the athlete in a different way and develops different skills. It could also be dedicated time for unstructured play.
Having an off-season allows for the athlete’s body to grow and get stronger. In fact, at the American collegiate level, 88% of Division 1 athletes participated in 2-3 sports as children and 70% delayed specialization to after the age of 12 (45% did not specialize until age 16 or older). Cross-training will make an athlete more adaptable and more athletic. Playing different sports or participating in unstructured play will help the athlete be able to recover properly while also reducing their risk of an overuse injury.
Benefits of Sports Specialization
There are some potential benefits to sports specialization. Repetition and regular practice are necessary to become proficient at any physical task, and this does allow for that increased skill acquisition. There is also building confidence in skills which can be a benefit in the long term as well. But, for most, sports specialization is not needed, especially before high school.
The sports that seem to benefit the most from early specialization are also the ones that typically see a very young age-peak, such as gymnastics. Most gymnasts that make it to the Olympics are between the ages of 16-24. For instance, the most recent Olympics had an average age of 21. It is very rare to see older gymnasts competing at a high level.
Physical Therapy for Athletes
It is important to keep athletes as happy and as healthy as possible. Physical therapists are a part of the athlete’s team to collaborate with the athlete, their parents, and their coaches in order to help them perform and recover their best.
Spooner therapists are highly trained specialists that make athlete’s health, wellbeing, and goals their top priority. We can assist with injury prevention through athlete screens and individualized treatment. We can also help the athlete return to sport stronger if an injury does occur. Schedule an appointment today!