Early Sport Specialization

Agel, Julie; Post, Eric G.

doi:10.2106/jbjs.21.00018

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…A recent meta-analysis concluded that highly specialized youth were more likely to report a history of injury associated with sport participation. 3 Subsequent reviews agree with evidence of increased risk of overuse injury 10 and lower extremity injury specifically. 11 However, these reviews acknowledge limitations in the evidence, including a lack of adjustment for confounding due to training and competition volume and a lack of studies specifically investigating early specialization.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 82%

High Sport Specialization Is Associated With More Musculoskeletal Injuries in Canadian High School Students

Whatman¹,

Berg²,

Black³

et al. 2022

Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine

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Objective:To describe levels of sport specialization in Canadian high school students and investigate whether sport specialization and/or sport participation volume is associated with the history of musculoskeletal injury and/or concussion.Design:Cross-sectional study.Setting:High schools, Alberta, Canada.Participants:High school students (14-19 years) participating in various sports.Independent Variables:Level of sport specialization (high, moderate, low) and sport participation volume (hours per week and months per year).Main Outcome Measures:Twelve-month injury history (musculoskeletal and concussion).Results:Of the 1504 students who completed the survey, 31% were categorized as highly specialized (7.5% before the age of 12 years). Using multivariable, negative, binomial regression (adjusted for sex, age, total yearly training hours, and clustering by school), highly specialized students had a significantly higher musculoskeletal injury rate [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-1.73] but not lower extremity injury or concussion rate, compared with low specialization students. Participating in one sport for more than 8 months of the year significantly increased the musculoskeletal injury rate (IRR = 1.27, 95% CI, 1.02-1.58). Increased training hours significantly increased the musculoskeletal injury rate (IRR = 1.18, 95% CI, 1.13-1.25), lower extremity injury rate (IRR = 1.16, 95% CI, 1.09-1.24), and concussion rate (IRR = 1.31, 95% CI, 1.24-1.39).Conclusions:Approximately one-third of Canadian high school students playing sports were categorized as highly specialized. The musculoskeletal injury rate was higher for high sport specialization students compared with low sport specialization students. Musculoskeletal injuries and concussion were also more common in students who train more and spend greater than 8 months per year in one sport.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 82%

High Sport Specialization Is Associated With More Musculoskeletal Injuries in Canadian High School Students

Whatman¹,

Berg²,

Black³

et al. 2022

Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine

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“…There is no broadly accepted definition of “specialization.” Is specialization a subjective self-defined state where the athlete considers themselves to be specializing, but still plays other sports, or is sport specialization an objective state in which the individual stops playing all other sports? 11 , 12 Conversely participation in a single sport does not necessarily imply specialization.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the Impact of Youth Early Sport Specialization on Injury: An Evolution in Measurement

Rockwood

Edwards

Nelson

et al. 2023

Health Services Research and Managerial Epidemiology

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Objective To track youth sports participation and injury occurrence accurately and longitudinally. Results An online survey tool that captures sports participation, frequency, level of competition, and tracks injury occurrence has been developed. The survey allows for longitudinal tracking of sports participation to evaluate the change from recreational to highly specialized sports participation. To maximize the utility of this research tool we identified swimmer plots which allow for clear visualization of the data as the best method for graphical representation. Implication Longitudinal measurement of sports participation to evaluate the impact of early sports specialization on injury is feasible with this tool and enhanced by the swimmer plots for visualization.

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Early Sport Specialization

Cited by 2 publications

References 51 publications

High Sport Specialization Is Associated With More Musculoskeletal Injuries in Canadian High School Students

High Sport Specialization Is Associated With More Musculoskeletal Injuries in Canadian High School Students

Evaluating the Impact of Youth Early Sport Specialization on Injury: An Evolution in Measurement

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