Sports Specialization

It's been my observation that children growing up today are either too active, or too sedentary. My kids have always been involved in travel soccer, and it's pretty much a year-round commitment of pre-season training in the summer, a fall schedule of games and practices, winter conditioning, and a spring schedule of more games and practices. I have no complaints-my daughter went onto a nice high school career with it-and I feel that soccer involves all the physiological aspects of fitness you look for in kids - speed training, endurance, balance, and agility.

My children also got a taste of distance-running by entering several 5-K races, and my son always does the MS 25-mile "Coast To Coast" Bike Tour every year. I think it's important that kids get a taste of different sports, to see where their interests and abilities lie, and for variety alone. The American Academy of Pediatrics agrees, issuing a recent policy statement regarding intensive training and sports specialization in young people. It concluded that children should be encouraged to participate in a variety of activities, and not specialize in just one.
The AAP (and I) feels that much of the specialization is at the behest of parents who are under mostly false illusiions about gaining a college scholarship or professional career for their kid. Or, breaking it down to another level, they just want an edge against the other kids (and parents) they are competiing against, either literally, or in their own minds. The statement said that kids who sample many activities and specialize after puberty are more consistent performers, have fewer injuries, and have less of a "burn-out" factor with the sport.

Nutrition was another concern of the report. It was important that kids take in enough calories, and particularly a sufficient amount of iron and calcium, to support their growth and development. Female athletes are particularly at risk in this area, especially with delay or stoppinjg of their menstrual cycle. This can lead to increased risk of stress fractures in the near- term, and osteoporosis in the long-term. Emotionally, danger points cited were increased stress (which may be internal or external,and missed social or educational experiences due to the heavy load of practices, individual training, travel, and games.

The conclusion was logical: don't push kids into sports, don't let them play through injuries, and let them form their own interests. This can be advice on sports or many other things: don't live your life through your kids!