Play.Stay.Thrive
An AMSSM toolkit to promote safe and
healthy participation in youth sports
 
Play.Stay.Thrive
An AMSSM toolkit to promote safe and
healthy participation in youth sports
Play.Stay.Thrive
An AMSSM toolkit to promote safe and
healthy participation in youth sports

Should my young athlete participate in year-round sports with no off-season?

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Rest is important for physical and mental recovery! Athletes should take 3-4 months off from a sport each year and 1-2 days off each week.

  • The overall volume of organized sports is a risk factor for injury.
  • Work with clubs and leagues to create seasonal programs and work with coaches to incorporate varied training in a sport’s off-season; these can include  strength training, pick-up games or free play.
  • There is data to suggest that training and competing greater than 8 months a year in a single sport may increase your child’s risk of overuse injury, especially in certain specialized positions or activities like pitching in baseball.

 
References:
Myer GD, Jayanthi N, Difiori JP et. al. Sport Specialization, Part I: Does Early Sports Specialization Increase Negative Outcomes and Reduce the Opportunity for Success in Young Athletes? Sports Health. 2015;7(5):437-42.
DiFiori JP, Benjamin HJ, Brenner JS et al. Overuse injuries and burnout in youth sports: a position statement from the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. Br J Sports Med.  2014;48(4):287-288.
National Athletic Trainers’ Association Official Statement in Support of Sport Specialization Recommendations for Adolescent and Young Athletes October 2019:  https://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/youth_sports_specialization_recommendations.pdf
Brenner JS and AAP Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness. American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Report: Sports Specialization and Intensive Training in Young Athletes. Pediatrics. 2016;138(3):e20162148. https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/138/3/e20162148
LaPrade RF, Angel J, Baker J et al. AOSSM Early Sport Specialization Consensus Statement. Orthop J
Sports Med.2016;4(4):2325967116644241.Bell DR, Post EG, Biese K, et. al. Sports Specialization and Risk of Overuse Injuries: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis. Pediatrics. 2018;142(3);e20180657.