Q: There is pressure to have our elementary age children specialize (focus) on a single sport. Is there research on this topic?
A: Over the last 25 years, specializing in a single sport at a young age has become more and more common. The reasons for specializing vary but the most common reason cited is the fear of a child falling behind kids that are participating in a structured single sport program.
Early research on this topic provided inconclusive answers. Recent research has found many negative effects on children specializing in a single sport. These include:
- Children specializing in a single sport account for 50% of overuse injuries
- Early specialization leads to burnout and inactivity as an adult
- Early specialization is a predictor of future injury. A Loyola University study found specialized athletes are 70% to 93% more likely to be injured than children who played multiple sports
- Early specialization results in higher stress levels and lack of enjoyment
Beyond the negatives, the following benefits arise from early multi-sport participation:
- Better decision making, pattern recognition, and increased creativity
- Better overall motor/athletic development and sport skill transfer
- Increased motivation, ownership of the sports experience, and confidence
A final topic to note: Research also found that unstructured “free play” is important. As “free play” provides a high level of enjoyment, increases motor skills, emotional ability, creativity; and results in greater sport engagement.
The following website and article were used in answering the question:
http://changingthegameproject.com/is-it-wise-to-specialize/