You can help your child by allowing for open dialogue while providing PERSPECTIVE, SUPPORT and strategies for MINIMIZING RISK OF INJURY OR ILLNESS.

PERSPECTIVE: Help you child define success in terms of the long-term benefits from sport participation, not short-term goals like winning. Outline a plan on how they can reach their goals.

SUPPORT: Considerable literature suggests sampling multiple sports at an early age helps promote long-term development and does not limit success. In addition, the best predictor of long-term sport participation is whether the athlete is having FUN! Make sure you create a supportive environment that helps ensure your child continues to enjoy their sport.

MINIMIZE RISK OF INJURY OR ILLNESS: Take steps to reduce the risks of injury and illness by promoting proper training loads, nutrition, and sleep while fostering social and emotional support:

• Ensure adequate caloric intake based on your child’s growth and sport demands
• Ensure adequate rest and recovery within and between sport seasons
• Become familiar with sport-specific injury prevention guidelines (e.g. pitch counts in baseball, ACL prevention programs, etc)
• Monitor for signs of overtraining or burnout such as stress, mood changes, sleep problems, etc.

Want More Information?

• AMSSM Statement on Burnout and Overtraining
• AAP statement on Overuse injuries, Overtraining and Burnout
• Aspen Institute Project Play #DONTRETIREKID
• Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion