One Sport, Too Soon? Why Young Athletes Are Getting Hurt More Often

If you played sports as a kid, chances are you rotated with the seasons — football in the fall, basketball in the winter, maybe baseball or track in the spring. But today’s young athletes are often picking a single sport early and sticking with it year-round. And while focus and discipline can be great traits, this early specialization is linked to a rise in overuse injuries, which historically are much more common in older teens and adults.

More and more, kids are training like pros. That means fewer breaks, more repetition, and higher risk for stress injuries — especially in joints like shoulders, elbows, and knees. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, up to 50% of all sports injuries in youth athletes are from overuse. That means they’re not freak accidents, but preventable problems caused by too much strain on growing bodies.

The most common injuries depend on the sport, but here’s a good overview:
•    Shoulder and elbow injuries in baseball pitchers 
•    Knee pain in soccer and basketball players 
•    Stress fractures in runners and dancers
•    Wrist and spine issues in gymnasts and swimmers

While sports offer countless benefits like physical fitness, teamwork, confidence, and stress relief, playing a single sport 12 months a year doesn’t give the body (or mind) time to rest and recover. Cross-training through different sports or activities helps build a variety of muscle groups, improves coordination, and keeps kids from burning out.

As parents of a young athlete, but sure to check in with them regularly. Make sure they’re still passionate about the game and not just feeling pressure to perform. Passion and joy fuel long-term success more than any early specialization ever will. Let them try new things, take rest days, and explore different sports. 

At the end of the day, sports should build confidence, not just stats. And this may be harder for some parents than the kids, but the goal isn't a scholarship — it’s a strong, healthy, and happy future.