WHY EARLY SPECIALIZATION OF SPORT IS BAD FOR YOUNG ATHLETES: Presented by Athlete Training + Health
Did you know your youth athlete is at risk when they have early specialization of sport before they are 15 years of age? The trend in youth sports today is for young athletes to train year-round in a single sport with the exclusion of other sports. Parents and athletes think there are many benefits to doing this. However, there are far greater risks – including increases in injuries, burnout, and a lack of adequate recovery time – all of which happen when a student athlete plays one sport year-round without a break.
Do you think that Patrick Mahomes, recent Super Bowl MVP only played football in high school? If you said yes, you are mistaken. Patrick played three sports in high school – football, basketball, and baseball. Not only did he dream of playing basketball at Duke, but he was also drafted by the Detroit Tigers, all while he was playing quarterback for his high school (read more on that here). He is just one of several examples of current professional athletes who played multiple sports until college or the pros.
Because we know the dangers of early sport specialization, at Athlete Training + Health we focus on the long-term athletic development of young athletes. Our Student ATHlete classes are not sport-specific and our programs ensure the development of athletic ability without increasing the likelihood of injury. Also, athletes are educated on the importance of health to ensure optimal nutritional and lifestyle habits to sustain performance. ATH provides training for athletes of all levels so they can reach their individual potential.
Click here to read more about early sport specialization and why we advise against this trend.
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About Athlete Training + Health
Athlete Training + Health's mission is to use best practices of health and performance to provide a world-class training environment for active adults and athletes of all ages and abilities. Our multi-field, state-of-the-art facilities are equipped with advanced pro-style weight rooms and dedicated areas for adult and youth athletes. ATH's highly-skilled coaches deploy training strategies that elevate – regardless of age or ability – athletes' performance to the highest level through consistent evaluation and education. A key component of ATH is its forward-thinking approach to collaboration with hospital systems, professional sports teams, universities and independent school districts to raise the bar for health and performance training. For more: www.athletetrainingandhealth.com.