- Children should not specialize in one sport for more than three seasons per year and should ideally have one season per year free from competitive activities.
- Participating in multiple sports (3 or 4) across different times of the year promotes overall physical fitness and reduces injury risk by varying the demands on the body.
- Overuse injuries are the most common injuries in youth sports, often caused by repetitive motions in a single sport practiced year-round.
- Studies show that elite athletes and Olympians who excelled often participated in multiple sports during their youth instead of early specialization.
- Benefits of multi-sport participation include better neuromuscular development, reduced burnout, less psychological stress, and lower injury risk compared to early specialization.
- Early specialization increases risks for overuse injuries (tendinitis, stress fractures), burnout, and may hinder long-term athletic development.
- Sports medicine and pediatric organizations recommend multisport engagement throughout childhood and delaying specialization until after age 12 for most sports.
Importance of Variety in Activities
Kids should play different sports throughout the year, avoid specializing in one sport for more than three seasons, and take breaks to prevent injuries and improve overall performance.
Keith Loud, MD, MSc, Pediatrics
