Intensive Training and Sports Specialization in Young Athletes

Anderson, Steven J. MD, Chairperson
Griesemer, Bernard A. MD
Johnson, Miriam D. MD
Martin, Thomas J. MD
McLain, Larry G. MD
Rowland, Thomas W. MD
Small, Eric MD
LeBlanc, Claire MD
Malina, Robert PhD
Krein, Carl ATc, PT
Young, Judith C. PhD
Reed, Frederick E. MD
Washington, Reginald L. MD
Bar-Or, Oded MD
Newland, Heather

Committee on Sports Medicine and Fitness, 1999-2000 (Anderson, Griesemer, Johnson, Martin, McLain, Rowland, Small)
Liaison Representatives (LeBlanc, Canadian Paediatric Society; Malina, Institute for the Study of Youth Sports; Krein, National Athletic Trainers Association; Young, National Association for Sport and Physical Education)
Section Liaisons (Reed, Section on Orthopaedics; Washington, Section on Cardiology)
Consultant (Bar-Or)
Staff (Newland)

The recommendations in this statement do not indicate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as a standard of medical care. Variations, taking into account individual circumstances, may be appropriate.

Pediatrics 106(1):p 154-157, July 2000.

ABSTRACT.

Children involved in sports should be encouraged to participate in a variety of different activities and develop a wide range of skills. Young athletes who specialize in just one sport may be denied the benefits of varied activity while facing additional physical, physiologic, and psychologic demands from intense training and competition.

This statement reviews the potential risks of high-intensity training and sports specialization in young athletes. Pediatricians who recognize these risks can have a key role in monitoring the health of these young athletes and helping reduce risks associated with high-level sports participation.