The fall youth sports season has barely begun, yet millions of parents have already filled up their kids' late summer and autumn calendars with practices, private coaching lessons and travel tournaments.These parents mean well.They're trying to give their children every possible opportunity to succeed on the field or court.But many parents have lost sight of what youth sports are meant to achieve.
And worse, they're inadvertently putting their kids at risk of injuries or burnout that could harm their long-term health.PEDIATRICIANS GROUP STANDS UP FOR KIDS' RAPIDLY SHRINKING RECESS TIME: 'VERY POWERFUL BENEFIT'I grew up playing sports.I love watching my own kids play them.
As an orthopedic surgeon who has worked with the New York Mets, I've spent much of my life on, or near, the field.The American attitude to youth sports can lead to both early burnout and a higher injury risk.(LuckyBusiness/Getty Images)Those experiences have taught me that we're approaching youth sports all wrong.I’M A COLLEGE ATHLETE.
THE SYSTEM THAT GAVE ME MY DREAM IS STARTING TO BREAKToo many parents and coaches view youth sports as a pathway to fame or fortune – to win a championship, earn a scholarship, or go pro.So, they push children to do too much, too soon.Children are not miniature adults.
Their bones, muscles, tendons and movement patterns are still developing, sometimes at different rates.During puberty, bones can be particularly vulnerable to repetitive stress, while rapid changes in height and body proportions can temporarily affect strength and coordination.
Their training and recovery regimens need to be designed for their biology.WOODY JOHNSON: MAKING FLAG FOOTBALL OFFICIAL GIVES GIRLS A CHANCE TO CATCH THEIR FUTURESInstead, adults keep increasing the demands on young athletes – more games, more reps, more competition – while giving their growing bodies less time to recover.And I often see the consequences in the operating room.About 1% of girls who play soccer – w...