Research Paper On Early Sports Specialization

According to The United States Youth Soccer organization “more than 3 million youth participate in its recreational, competitive, and Olympic development programs” (Livingston et al., 309). This data illustrates a worrying new trend in adolescent athletics called early sports specialization. By general definition, early sports specialization (ESS) is when young athletes exclude other activities to focus on intense, year-round training in a specific sport (Ferguson, Stern 2016). In our modern world of athletics, a number of factors are to blame for the popularity of ESS. It has been found that parents are the strongest initiators of sports for their young children, the next being coaches who recognize a “gifted” child athlete and then encourage
specialization. However, the media is also a key reason for the growth of ESS.
“Commercialized society plays a role in encouraging early sports specialization with endless commercials, advertisements, and training programs being geared towards targeting young athletes. Nonetheless, an undeniable problem exists in a culture that encourages specialization before the age of 10. Before this age, young athletes are typically not psychologically mature enough to understand the importance, responsibility, commitment and ramifications of year-round training in a sport (Ferguson, Stern 2016). From this, both physical and social developmental issues can arise from overuse of young growing bodies, as well as mental fatigue and burnout. Overall, it is fundamentally wrong that “the decisions that shape… childhood and youth sports careers often aren’t made by the kids” (“Kids Specializing”). The risks associated with early sports specialization could be avoided if late sports specialization was adhered to by parents of youth athletes, if pediatricians were required to inform guardians of the health concerns related to ESS, and a maximum number of hours of training allowed for all U12 and younger teams was set by sports
organizations. One of the many reasons that the sports world has seen an increase of early sports specialization is that parents are pushing their children more and more to excel in a singular sport.
The reasons for this can vary, from parents wishing to live out their own athletic dreams through their children, to hoping their child can reach an elite level and gain college scholarships. However, this type of mentality must be abolished. Intense year round training doesn’t make a star player, and studies have shown that “less than 1% of young athletes 6 to 17 years of age achieve elite status” (Jayanthi, Neeru et al.). Yet, despite the slim chance, a child athlete will actually make it to professional leagues, this discourages few (“Intensive Training” 1). These kind of stakes only up the ante for young athletes, who are then held to a higher standard than their athletic idols ever were. In fact, “For most sports, there is no evidence that intense training and specialization before puberty are necessary to achieve elite status.” (Jayanthi, Neeru et al.). There is debate around this fact. Some argue that the Dr. Anders Ericsson, who developed the 10,000 hours theory, is the correct methodology. Ericsson’s theory is that 10,000 hours of deliberate training over a ten year period is the mathematical reasoning behind achieving mastery. Of course, what is often forgotten is that Ericsson developed his ideas around musicians, chess players, and mathematicians, not young athletes (“Kids
Specializing”). Contributing towards the argument for early specialization is that children learn and will develop quicker if they start specializing from an early age. Although this idea is supported by many in academic fields (for instance, learning to read and write) it is not as applicable to athletes. It is indisputable that playing a sport from a young age has the potential to increase the child's likelihood of success in that sport. However, whether specializing, specifically, must begin during early childhood while excluding other activities is a matter of debate. Data can be found to dispute this, claiming that “for most sports, early diversification is more likely to lead to success” (Jayanthi, Neeru). Admittedly, like musicians, not all athletes can achieve mastery of a specific sport if they do not begin training from a young age, such as gymnasts or dancers, but there is an argument that “early diversification provides the young athlete with valuable physical, cognitive, and psychosocial environments and promotes motivation.” (Jayanthi, Neeru). Simply put, the young athlete will be a more fully rounded athlete and person if allowed to fully explore all of his or her interests. A more rounded athlete is, therefore, able to more quickly acquire a competitive level of play in a single sport later on if they choose to participate in late sports specialization. In conclusion, “Early diversification followed by specialization may lead to more enjoyment, fewer injuries, and longer participation, contributing to the chances of success.” (Jayanthi, Neeru).