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Tony Cevoli
Drexel University
EDUC815
Comparisons in Youth Sport Specialization

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Youth sports has become a staple in today’s upbringing in America.  It is estimated that 60 million children aged 6-18 participate in some type of organized athletics (Matzen & Garvey, 2018). There has been a growing trend over the last two decades in youth sports regarding specialization.  Children are choosing to play one sport at an earlier age and sticking with that one sport through adolescents.

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There is some, but limited research on demographics that needs further investigation.  There is extremely limited research on impacts to the family, such as sibling specialization and effects on the relationships with siblings and parents.  Motivations for specialization another area that requires further study. There is also limited research discussing ways to make parents more aware of the potential negative impacts.

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·       To what degree does youth sport specialization differ between boys and girls and why?

·       At what age do boys tend to specialize in youth sports as compared to girls?

·       What percentage of youth athletes in team sports specialize as compared to solo sports?

·       To what degree does youth sport specialization in team versus non-team sports differ between boys and girls?

·       To what extent are parents, coaches, and children informed about the pros and cons of youth sport specialization and what impact would it have?

·       What creative steps are necessary to limit the negative effects of youth sport specialization?

·       What role does geography and socioeconomic factors play in youth sport specialization?

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There is concern that the lack of diversity in athletic endeavors at such an early age has negative outcomes that can continue through young adulthood.

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To understand why children specialize at an early age and what comparisons can be made in youth athletes.

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Sport specialization- intense, year-round training in a single sport with the exclusion of other sports/play.

Long-term athletic development- physiological framework proposed to manage the focus, volume and type of training applied to athletes as they develop through adolescence into adulthood.

Overuse injury- damage to a bone, muscle, ligament, or tendon caused by repetitive stress without allowing time for the body to heal

Motor skill-  a learned ability to cause a predetermined movement outcome with maximum certainty

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Youth athletics has many positive benefits for children as they progress through their adolescent years.  These benefits are not just physical activity, there are social and emotional components as well (Capranica & Millard-Stafford, 2011).  They learn skills about teamwork, build friendships, and learn about losing.  These are critical life skills these young athletes will carry with them forever.  However, the possible negative effectives of youth sport specialization may jeopardy these necessary life lessons.