Specialization In Youth Sports Essay

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Sports are one of the most popular forms of entertainment in America. From football to lacrosse, sports unify people from many different backgrounds, most of whom would not interact otherwise. People enjoy watching the best of the best competing at high stakes. But at what cost? With participation at an all-time high, (more than 30 million kids playing up through high school) youth sports have become increasingly more competitive; each child striving to become the next Lebron James or Serena Williams.
This new culture of competitiveness breeds overbearing parents and coaches, who hold children younger than 5 years old to standards expected from high school and college athletes. Seasons have lengthened and teams have become more exclusive. Competing at such a serious level as a young child can cause some negative mental and physical effects.
Parents can be the …show more content…

In the past, athletes have played two to three sports, in comparison to now, where children under the age of ten only participate in one.
Early specialization, while effective in theory, has not allowed children to meet their potential as athletes because of the overuse of particular muscles and the underuse of others. There is currently no evidence that proves children who specialize in sports in elementary school do better that children who do not.
Early specialization is also problematic because of the under acknowledged fact that kids are still growing. Growth plates do not typically close until the ages 16 though 18. Because of this, many young athletes suffer through stress fractures and premature closing of growth plates due to overuse and microtraumas. Overuse of certain parts of the body, a popular characteristic of youth sports currently, is a common cause for injuries such as these. Overexertion and overuse can lead to athletes losing opportunities to play at higher

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