A new report in the American Academy of Pediatrics states that injuries, as potential for burnout or stress, may be more likely for child athletes who specialize in a single sport at a young age.
Here's what you should know.
1. Kody Moffatt, MD, of the Children's Hospital and Medical Center in Nebraska, said the report supports the belief that youths involved in multiple sports have fewer injuries, lower stress levels and fewer cases of burnout.
The report recommends that youths avoid specializing in any single activity until they are 15- to 16-years-old.
2. Youths are facing an increasing amount of pressure to specialize in their respective sport if they want to compete at the next level.
"Early specialization doesn't work," Dr. Moffat said. "It doesn't make young people more successful. In fact, just the opposite. Early diversification can make them more successful."
3. The report states that current NCAA Division I athletes were more likely to have played multiple sports in high school, and their first organized sport was often different from their current one.
Of 322 athletes who were invited to the 2015 NFL scouting combine, 87 percent played multiple sports in high school, and only 13 percent exclusively specialized in football.
4. Dr. Moffat urges all youth athletes to take time away from their sports to ensure they will be "more successful and have a better chance of being successful with their elite goals if they do it this way."
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