When a child plays only one sport competitively before high school, it’s called early specialization – and it’s something that’s becoming all too common. But studies show that trying a variety of sports until high school is better for a young athlete’s physical and mental health.
“I’ve seen specialization occur in athletes as young as eight years old,” says Vasilios Moutzouros, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon and chief of sports medicine at Henry Ford Health. “Oftentimes, there is pressure from parents and coaches to stick with one sport. Everyone thinks they’re coaching the next Olympian or professional athlete. But specialization can be detrimental to young people – and it needs to be talked about more.”
Physical Health Benefits Of Playing Multiple Sports
Children who play one sport year-round are at risk of overuse injuries, or injuries that occur from repeatedly using the same muscles. For example, throwers may be prone to shoulder and elbow injuries; basketball players may be prone to knee injuries.
“When you play the same sport, you make the same movements over again, which doesn’t allow your body to rest and regroup,” says Dr. Moutzouros. “Children between the ages of eight and 14 are especially prone to overuse injuries, as this is a major period of growth and development. If you play different sports, you switch up the muscles you use, reducing the risk of overuse injuries.”
Go Where The Pros Go
Another benefit of playing more than one sport? Multisport athletes may become better athletes. “I see this in my clinic,” says Dr. Moutzouros. “There may be a bias here, because if you’re good at something you tend to do it. But studies show that those who play multiple sports tend to be better athletes.”
Mental Health Benefits Of Playing Multiple Sports
Decreasing burnout – and having time to recharge – is a huge mental health benefit to playing different sports.
“The nice thing about different sports is different people,” says Dr. Moutzouros. “It allows for fresh starts. There may be less pressure because of a change in season and culture versus being in the same world year-round. I think we’d all agree that a change in environment is beneficial at times.”
Learning different sports can also make you more adaptable and able to pick up new skills more quickly.
“At the end of the day, sports mirror life,” says Dr. Moutzouros. “You have to interact with teammates, coaches, opponents. There’s a huge value in sports in terms of growing a young person’s maturity, leadership capabilities and humility – because you don’t win at everything. All of these qualities translate into success in life as an adult."
It’s not known how many sports a young person should play, or how varied the sports should be. But let your child take the lead, whether they’re interested in two different sports or three (or more!). “Parents and coaches have to allow a young person to decide their interests – and let them keep the fun in sports,” says Dr. Moutzouros.
Reviewed by Vasilios Moutzouros, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon and chief of sports medicine at Henry Ford Health. Dr. Moutzouros sees patients at the Henry Ford Center for Athletic Medicine, Henry Ford Medical Center – Columbus and Henry Ford Medical Center – Royal Oak.
