Overuse injuries [1] and burnout [2] continue to be a major problem in youth sports, with three out of 10 parents in a recent survey (Mikalide 2012) reporting that their child had sustained the same sports injury more than once. Such repeat injuries are more common among athletes who play on three or more teams, play on multiple teams at the same time in different sports, and have missed time playing or practicing due to injury.
Multiple injuries among some young athletes highlight the need for rest to prevent overuse injuries, overtraining, and burnout in young athletes.
Here are 9 ways parents can help avoid these problems:
Sources:
Brenner J. Overuse Injuries, Overtraining and Burnout in Child and Adolescent Athletes. Pediatrics 2007;119;124.
DiFiori JP, Benjamin HJ, Brenner J, Gregory A, Jayanthi N, Landry GL, Luke A. Overuse Injuries and Burnout in Youth Sports: A Position Statement from the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. Clin J Sports Med. 2014;24(1):3-20.
Mickalide AD, Hansen LM. Coaching Our Kids to Fewer Injuries: A Report on Youth Sports Safety. Washington, DC: Safe Kids Worldwide, April 2012
Posted May 15, 2012; revised April 11, 2014
Links:
[1] https://www.momsteam.com/health-safety/overuse-injuries-burnout-in-youth-sports-what-we-know-what-we-dont
[2] https://www.momsteam.com/burnout-in-youth-athletes-risk-factors-symptoms-diagnosis-treatment
[3] https://www.momsteam.com/node/3010
[4] https://www.momsteam.com/node/1362
[5] https://www.momsteam.com/node/3492
[6] https://www.momsteam.com/node/50
[7] https://www.momsteam.com/node/323
[8] https://www.momsteam.com/health-safety/general-safety/injury-prevention/overuse-injuries-youth-sports-competitive-culture
[9] https://www.momsteam.com/overuse/preventing-overuse-injuries-in-youth-athletes
[10] https://www.momsteam.com/successful-parenting/specializing-in-single-sport-early-travel-team-play-lead-to-burnout
[11] https://www.momsteam.com/successful-parenting/five-signs-your-child-isnt-having-fun-playing-sports
[12] https://www.momsteam.com/successful-parenting/survival-skills/balancing-sports-family/over-scheduled-kids-the-warning-signs
[13] https://www.momsteam.com/health-safety/general-health-safety/fifteen-ways-parents-can-help-prevent-sports-injuries
[14] https://www.momsteam.com/team-of-experts/overuse-injuries-an-unfortunate-by-product-of-youth-sports-boom
[15] https://www.momsteam.com/health-safety/young-athletes-from-higher-income-families-more-likely-suffer-serious-overuse-injuries