A Case of Early Sports Specialization in an Adolescent Athlete

Overview

Journal J Can Chiropr Assoc

Date 2015 Jan 1

PMID 25550662

Citations 11

Authors

Brad Ferguson

Paula J Stern

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Early sport specialization (ESS) refers to intense year round training in a specific sport with the exclusion of other sports at a young age. This approach to training is heavily debated and there are claims both in support and against ESS. ESS is considered to be more common in the modern day youth athlete and could be a source of overuse injuries and burnout. This case describes a 16 year old elite level baseball pitcher who engaged in high volume, intense training at a young age which lead to several significant throwing related injuries. The case highlights the historical context of ESS, the potential risk and benefits as well as the evidence for its effectiveness. It is important for health care professionals to be informed on the topic of ESS in order to educate athletes, parents, coaches and organizations of the potential risks and benefits.

Citing Articles

Impact of astaxanthin supplementation on markers of cardiometabolic health and tactical performance among firefighters.

Gonzalez D, Dickerson B, Johnson S, Woodruff K, Leonard M, Yoo C J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2024; 21(1):2427751.

PMID: 39568140 PMC: 11583326. DOI: 10.1080/15502783.2024.2427751.

Investigating the research capacity and productivity of Canadian sports chiropractors.

Lee A, Muir B, Oh D, Chung K, Debusschere R, Kissel J J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2024; 67(3):202-225.

PMID: 38283160 PMC: 10814703.

Developmental activities of elite junior hockey players: an analysis of early sport specialization.

Garland W, Smith K, Dixon J, Horton S Front Sports Act Living. 2023; 5:1253007.

PMID: 38022788 PMC: 10644152. DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1253007.

Injury Prevalence among Young Elite Baseball Players.

Ha D, Nagai S, Noh B, Mukai N, Miyakawa S, Takemura M Sports (Basel). 2023; 11(7).

PMID: 37505621 PMC: 10383147. DOI: 10.3390/sports11070134.

Proportions of Early Specializers Varies According to Methods and Skill Level.

Mosher A, Fraser-Thomas J, Wilson M, Baker J Sports (Basel). 2022; 10(3).

PMID: 35324644 PMC: 8954525. DOI: 10.3390/sports10030034.

References

Baxter-Jones A, Maffulli N . Parental influence on sport participation in elite young athletes. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2003; 43(2):250-5. View

Malina R . Early sport specialization: roots, effectiveness, risks. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2010; 9(6):364-71. DOI: 10.1249/JSR.0b013e3181fe3166. View

Valovich McLeod T, Decoster L, Loud K, Micheli L, Parker J, Sandrey M . National Athletic Trainers' Association position statement: prevention of pediatric overuse injuries. J Athl Train. 2011; 46(2):206-20. PMC: 3070508. DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-46.2.206. View

. Intensive training and sports specialization in young athletes. American Academy of Pediatrics. Committee on Sports Medicine and Fitness. Pediatrics. 2000; 106(1 Pt 1):154-7. View

DiFiori J, Benjamin H, Brenner J, Gregory A, Jayanthi N, Landry G . Overuse injuries and burnout in youth sports: a position statement from the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. Clin J Sport Med. 2013; 24(1):3-20. DOI: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000060. View

Lyman S, Fleisig G, Waterbor J, Funkhouser E, Pulley L, Andrews J . Longitudinal study of elbow and shoulder pain in youth baseball pitchers. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001; 33(11):1803-10. DOI: 10.1097/00005768-200111000-00002. View

Lyman S, Fleisig G, Andrews J, Osinski E . Effect of pitch type, pitch count, and pitching mechanics on risk of elbow and shoulder pain in youth baseball pitchers. Am J Sports Med. 2002; 30(4):463-8. DOI: 10.1177/03635465020300040201. View

Olsen 2nd S, Fleisig G, Dun S, Loftice J, Andrews J . Risk factors for shoulder and elbow injuries in adolescent baseball pitchers. Am J Sports Med. 2006; 34(6):905-12. DOI: 10.1177/0363546505284188. View

Cain Jr E, Andrews J, Dugas J, Wilk K, McMichael C, Walter 2nd J . Outcome of ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction of the elbow in 1281 athletes: Results in 743 athletes with minimum 2-year follow-up. Am J Sports Med. 2010; 38(12):2426-34. DOI: 10.1177/0363546510378100. View

10.

. Sports and children: consensus statement on organized sports for children. FIMS/WHO ad Hoc Committee on Sports and Children. Bull World Health Organ. 1998; 76(5):445-7. PMC: 2305775. View

11.

Bradbury J . Peak athletic performance and ageing: evidence from baseball. J Sports Sci. 2009; 27(6):599-610. DOI: 10.1080/02640410802691348. View

12.

Fleisig G, Andrews J, Cutter G, Weber A, Loftice J, McMichael C . Risk of serious injury for young baseball pitchers: a 10-year prospective study. Am J Sports Med. 2010; 39(2):253-7. DOI: 10.1177/0363546510384224. View

13.

Jayanthi N, Pinkham C, Dugas L, Patrick B, LaBella C . Sports specialization in young athletes: evidence-based recommendations. Sports Health. 2014; 5(3):251-7. PMC: 3658407. DOI: 10.1177/1941738112464626. View

14.

Baker J, Cote J, Abernethy B . Learning from the experts: practice activities of expert decision makers in sport. Res Q Exerc Sport. 2003; 74(3):342-7. DOI: 10.1080/02701367.2003.10609101. View