Early Sports Specialization - PowerPoint Presentation

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Early Sports Specialization

Wise to Specialize?

Brian Purchase, DO, FACOEP, CAQ Sports

Medicine

Covenant Sports Medicine

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Goals and Objectives

Define Sports

Specialization

Why is it important?

What should we do and recommendations?

Specific

examples

Trivia Question

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$$$$$

Cross Train

Rest

Compete: but just one team

Have Fun

Stay in the Game

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Definition

Early Sports Specialization

Year round training in one sport at the exclusion of other

sports before the age of 12

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Benefits of Sports

Teamwork

Socialization

Leadership

Discipline

ExerciseDownside

Sports related injuriesBurnout

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Statistics

30 million children participate in sports

7.3 million high school students participate in athletics annually

High school

athletics

accounts for more than 2 million injuries annually

500,000 doctor visits30,000 hospitalizations

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The Problem

Young athletes are specializing in sports at earlier ages

More than 3.5 million children < 14 are treated annually for sports

injuries

Immature bones, not enough rest, and poor training and conditioning contribute to overuse injuries

Overuse injuries account for half of all sports injuries in middle and high

school

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Importance

Overuse

Excessive and repeated use that results in injury to bones, muscles or tendons involved in the action

The

lasting problem

Risk for future injury

Contributor to long term degenerative diseasesLeads to higher rates of adult physical inactivityIf commit at a young age, often first to quit

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Importance

Burn out

70% of kids participating in sports drop out by the age of 13 because of stress, decreased motivation and lack of enjoyment

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How to Spot Overuse

Continued pain with activity

Pain with drastic increase in workouts

Burnout

Change in technique

Nighttime painSwellingNumbness

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Overuse

Pain that lasts until the next workout

Can’t perform at usual level

Loss of accuracy or form

Dead-arm sensation, heaviness or

numbness

Child complains (more than usual)Loss of motivation – doesn’t want to go to practice

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Recommendations

Stress the

importance of rest

Enforce warm-up and cool down sessions

Encourage proper strength training/techniques

Encourage Multiple sports/Discourage early specializationLimit quantity

Eg. Pitch countsLimit tournaments/matches played/multiple teamsEliminate Radar Gun

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Benefit of Multi-sport Participation

Better overall skills and ability

Smarter, more creative players

Most college athletes come from a multi-sport background

In fact, colleges are increasingly recruiting multi-sport athletes

Urban Meyer scouted Tim Tebow when he was playing right field on his HS baseball team

10,000 hours is not a ruleFree play equals more play

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Examples

Baseball

Tennis

Swimming

Gymnastics

SoccerBasketball

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Baseball

Elbow Injuries

>50-75% of youth baseball players

Elbow surgery has increased 50% in high school pitchers in the past 5 years

Can be preventable

Fewer pitches = Longer Career

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Baseball

Elbow Injuries

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Common Injuries

Ligament/Tendon

UCL (Tommy John)

Medial/Lateral

epicondylitis

Bone/Growth PlateOccur in growing children

Medial apophysitis(Little Leaguer’s Elbow)

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Pitch Recommendations

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Age Recommended for Learning Various Pitches

Pitch

Age

Fastball 8 ± 2 Change-up 10 ± 3

Curveball 14 ± 2 Knuckleball 15 ± 3 Forkball 16 ± 2 Slider 16 ± 2

Screwball 17 ± 2

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References

www.STOPSportinjuries.org

____

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S

ports

T

rauma and

O

veruse

P

revention)

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Benefits of running

Healthy

Inexpensive

Engaging activity that promotes fitness and discipline

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Pitfalls of running

Physically and Psychologically damaging if not carefully supervised

Adverse conditions

Inadequate clothing or equipment

Improper form: quality/quantity

Burn out is high if child starts too early (i.e. pre-teen)

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Recommendations

Soft running surfaces

Less stress on growing bodies

Avoid competitive environment

Keep it low-key and keep it fun

Avoid pressures of high expectations for others (i.e. parents and/or coaches)

Parents need to be careful not to push a child beyond their mental or physical limits

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Avoiding overuse injury

Adhere to comprehensive program of strength training and stretching

Resistance training

High repetitions/lower weight

Core exercises

Push-ups

Abdominal crunches

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Common injuries

Knee

Lower leg

Foot/ankle

Pelvis/hip

Heat injuries

Skin injuries

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Signs/Symptoms

Pain with running

Pain at rest

Can’t sleep

Limping

Stiffness

Other symptoms to be aware ofIncreased shortness of breathHeadache during or after runs

Dizzy or light headed

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Further prevention strategies

Stop at first sign of injury/pain

Do not run through pain

Proper techniques and training

Stick to appropriate goals

Determine reason for running

FitnessRecreationTraining

Competition

Set safe and achievable goals and advance slowly and cautiously

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Safety tips when starting out

Hydrate

Stretch

Speed up slowly

Proper attire

Flat terrainSoft, all-purpose track surfaces

Well lit areasRun with partnerRun in safe temperatures/humidity

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How young is too young to run a Marathon?

International Marathon Medical Directors Association

If attempted at a younger age

Must enjoy the activity

Be asymptomatic

Runners choice to do so

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$

ummary

Cross Train:

Play multiple sports

Learn proper mechanics

Rest: Take time off

Compete: but avoid multiple teamsHave Fun: Prevent burn outStay in the Game: Remain injury free.

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Trivia Question

How many Little League World Series pitchers have made it to the MLB?

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4

In fact, fewer than 30 LLWS players have made it to the Majors

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Counter Argument

Available data on injury rates is not accurate

No proof that single sport specialization is more harmful than free play

Need to be cautious with some sports and certain positions

Inactivity is more detrimental than the risk of overuse injuries

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THANK YOU