Youth Athlete Flashcards
Importance of Youth Sports -
Sport/Physical Activity is associated with:
Leadership skills
Self-esteem
Healthy lifestyle habits (active)
Reduced depression
Youth Athletes:
Includes both children and adolescents
Girls: Child (11 and under) adolescent (12-18)
Boys: Child (13 and under) adolescent (14-18)
Immature Skeletal Anatomy
growth plates (epiphyseal plates) are still open = more susceptible to growth-related injuries, such as apophysitis (inflammation of the growth plate)
Bones still developing = variations in density and strength compared to fully matured bones in adults
* increases the risk of fractures and stress injuries
joints and muscles may have greater flexibility, but lack the strength and stability seen in adults
*focus on balanced training to prevent injuries
Immature Emotional Development
Self-Regulation: Younger athletes may struggle with emotional regulation during competition, leading to impulsive decisions or difficulty managing stress and frustration.
Social Dynamics: The social aspect of sports is significant. Young athletes often navigate peer relationships and may experience pressure from teammates, coaches, and parents, impacting their enjoyment and mental health.
Identity Formation: Participation in sports plays a key role in developing self-identity. Young athletes may grapple with balancing their athletic identity with other aspects of their lives, such as academics and social interactions.
Development (Maturation)
Timing, rate, and magnitude vary
Not consistent between body systems
Some athletes may develop physically earlier or later than their peers, affecting their strength, speed, and skill acquisition
Coordination, balance, and cognitive skills develop at different rates, which can influence an athlete’s ability to learn new skills and adapt to the demands of their sport
Children are NOT small adults = Skeletal differences:
Bones less dense, more elastic (especially during growth spurt= transient mineral shortage)
*Greenstick Fx
Open Physis
*Weakest area, Salter-Harris fractures
Apophysis
*Insertional point for tendon/ligament
*Apophysitis and avulsion common
*Secondary growth center: opens ~ 9, closes ~ 22yo
Fastest growth rate (outside of infancy)
During a growth spurt, bones can grow faster than the soft tissues can adapt = increased injury risk
bones can grow quickly, often outpacing the growth of surrounding soft tissues (muscles, tendons, and ligaments)
Soft tissues may not stretch or strengthen at the same rate as bones, leading to imbalances and a greater likelihood of injury
Osgood-Schlatter Disease:
Inflammation of the growth plate below the knee, often seen in active adolescents.
Sever’s Disease:
Inflammation of the growth plate at the heel, common in young athletes involved in running and jumping sports.
Models of Youth Development: Sampling
Age: 6-12
Goal: Develop Fundamental Skills
Running, Jumping, Throwing, Catching
Physical Literacy Across Sports
Rotate Through Sports and Positions
Example: Learn to throw
Models of Youth Development: Specialization
Age: 13-15
Goal: Sport and Position-specific Skill Acquisition
Proficiency of Movement
Fine Tune Technique
Example: Learn to Pitch (how to throw a curveball)
Models of Youth Development: Investment
Age: 16-18
Goal: Skill Mastery
Proficiency of Movement
Increase Pitch Velocity
Improve Shooting Accuracy
Example: Throw a curveball with accuracy
What is Sport Specialization Original Definition (Hill 1987):
“Participation in a single sport to the exclusion of other sports”
What is Sport Specialization Expanded Definition (Hill 1987, Hill 1989, Jayanthi 2013):
Participation in a single sport >8 months per year
High intensity training and competition within that sport
Participation in multiple leagues throughout the year
Problem =
EARLY specialization (prior to age 12) is the problem
Early specialization linked with:
$2 Billion in Healthcare expenditures & growing
Increased Injury Risk
Burnout
Impaired physical/social development
Surgical sports injury cases <13 years old
2004-2009: 117 ± 32
2010-2014: 212 ± 70
noticeable increase in the average number of surgical sports injury cases among youth athletes under 13
rise of approximately 81%
Potential Factors Contributing to the Increase: Surgical sports injury cases <13 years old
Increased Participation: There may be more children participating in organized sports, leading to a higher incidence of injuries.
Specialization in Sports: Youth athletes may be specializing in specific sports at a younger age, which can increase the risk of overuse injuries and surgical interventions.
Increased Awareness and Reporting: Improved awareness of sports injuries and better reporting mechanisms could contribute to a rise in recorded surgical cases.
Changes in Training and Competition: More competitive environments and intensive training regimens may increase the risk of injuries among young athletes.
___% participate in some type of organized sport
70
Average age of specialization is ___
8 yo (<12 = early)
Encouraged to have a primary sport by ___
2nd grade
The average child today plays ___ sports
fewer than 2
Why is early specialization occurring?
Increased Competition
Parental Influence
Increased Access to Resources
Social Factors
Perceived Benefits
Cultural Trends
Increased Competition
Youth Sports Culture: There is a growing emphasis on competition and performance at younger ages. Families and coaches often prioritize winning, pushing children to specialize early to gain a competitive edge.
Scholarship Opportunities: The belief that early specialization can lead to college scholarships or professional opportunities drives many parents to encourage their children to focus on one sport.
Parental Influence
Expectations: Parents often have high expectations for their children, leading to pressure to excel in a single sport from an early age.
Role Models: Seeing elite athletes specialize in one sport can influence parents and children to adopt similar pathways, believing it is necessary for success.
Increased Access to Resources
Training Facilities: The availability of specialized training facilities and coaches for specific sports encourages children to focus on one sport rather than participate in multiple activities.
Year-Round Programs: Many sports now offer year-round training and competitive opportunities, making it easier for young athletes to commit to a single sport
Social Factors
Peer Influence: Children often want to fit in with peers who are also specializing, leading to a snowball effect where more children choose to focus on one sport.
Team Dynamics: As children progress, they may feel pressure to specialize to maintain their position on competitive teams, especially if their friends are also specializing.
Perceived Benefits
Skill Development: The belief that specializing early leads to greater skill development and mastery of a sport can encourage parents and athletes to commit early.
Reduced Time Commitment: Some families may find it easier to manage schedules with one sport rather than juggling multiple sports, believing it offers more focused training.
