Early Specialization or Early Athletic Competencies? Literature Update and Methodological Considerations

Abstract

The early sport specialization is characterized as intensive year-round training and/or competition, involving participation in a single sport that typically begins in the prepubertal years. In recent years, most of the major national societies and international sports and athletic associations, federations, and organizations have released position statements advising against the practice of early specialization amongst youth sports. Youth sports training must necessarily take into account the cultural and social factors of each country. Over the last decades, several development models have been structured, integrated, and implemented, predominantly focusing upon the idea of the sporting talent model and framework. The practitioners emphasised the importance of variety and participation in a large range of sports and activities. This was identified as fundamental and a key aspect of long-term athletic development for developing well-rounded athletes whilst reducing burnout in one sport. This study describes the change in the methodological paradigm in the youth sports training model by analyzing the most recent literature; it aims to describe the methodological orientation that must distinguish long-term training from the risk of early specialization.