Here are the facts
Skills
88 per cent of college athletes come from a multi-sport background. — American Medical Society for Sports Medicine
For most sports, there is no evidence that intense training and specialization before age 13 or 14 are necessary to achieve elite status. — Sports Health Journal
Diversified sports training during early and middle adolescence may be a more effective strategy in ultimately developing elite-level skills. — American Medical Society for Sports Medicine
Burnout
Around 70 per cent of kids stop playing organized sports by the age of 13 because, “it’s just not fun anymore”. — Institute for the Study of Youth Sports at Michigan University
Children who specialized early in a single sport led to higher rates of adult physical inactivity. Those who commit to one sport at a young age are often the first to quit. — Ohio State University study
An athlete who specializes early or plays on an ultra-competitive select team is at increased risk of burnout or quitting sports as a result of chronic stress, repetitive strain and a decrease in intrinsic motivation and enjoyment during their training sessions. — American Medical Society for Sports Medicine
Injury
Athletes who specialized were 70 to 93 per cent more likely to be injured than children who played multiple sports. — Study by Dr. Neeru Jayanthi of Loyola University, et al
Intense and repeated training in one sport at a young age has been associated with higher rates of injury, which ultimately has an effect on the length of a sport career. — International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology
Early sport specialization has been identified as damaging for the future physical and mental health of the athlete. — Consensus Statement American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Early Sport
