Early Sport Specialization Research Articles

The Effect of Sport Specialization on Injury Risk in NCAA Athletes: Results From the SAFE Consortium.

Youth athletes are beginning to specialize in a single sport more often. Previous studies in sports medicine and orthopedics have shown an association between intensity of sport specialization and incidence of injuries. This study is the first of its kind to explore the effects of early sport specialization on injury risk through a multicenter framework with a concentration on NCAA athletics. Retrospective cohort study. SAFE Consortium. A total of 211 collegiate athletes from the NCAA's 3 levels of competition: Division I, II, and III. Data were collected by the SAFE investigators. N/A. Participants completed a questionnaire about their demographics, sport participation, specialization status, physical injuries, recovery period, and treatment method. Specialization status was calculated with a previously published 3-point scale: low, moderate, and high. Injuries were categorized as upper extremity injuries (UEIs) and lower extremity injuries (LEIs). Highly specialized athletes were more likely to report UEIs and LEIs than low specialized athletes (P < 0.0001). Moderate specialization, in contrast to low specialization, was associated with a higher likelihood of LEIs (P = 0.03) but not UEIs (P = 0.052). Highly specialized athletes were more likely to report an injury of any kind. The SAFE investigators found high specialization was associated with a history of UEIs and LEIs. Return to play was longer for highly specialized athletes versus low specialized athletes (112 days and 85 days, respectively). Highly specialized athletes were more likely to be from Division I and to require surgery.

Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction Utilizing a 3-Strand Palmaris Tendon Autograft With a Hybrid Linear Construct

The integrity of the medial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow is vital for the throwing athlete. Although newer techniques exist, reconstruction remains the gold standard for full-thickness UCL tears. An increase in throwing velocity, inadequate recovery, and early sports specialization have contributed to increased rates of UCL injury. As increasing numbers of athletes undergo UCL reconstruction, we continue to search for the optimal technique to return athletes to the same level of competition. We present a UCL reconstruction utilizing a 3-stranded palmaris longus tendon autograft with an inlay linear construct.

The early sport specialization paradox: an argument for early sport diversification in female athletes.

The early sport specialization paradox: an argument for early sport diversification in female athletes.

Diving Into Sports Specialization: The Association of Early Specialization on Injury Rates in Youth to Young Adult Divers.

This study explored the link between early sports specialization and injury rates in youth divers, a relationship that remains largely unexplored within diving. Cross-sectional survey. Members of the USA Diving Organization and collegiate male and female divers participated in an online survey, reporting their sports involvement and injury history. One hundred eighty-two male and female divers aged 8 to 25 years were recruited through USA Diving or US collegiate team databases. Early/late specialization (based on age <12 or 12 years or older), gender (M/F), springboard and/or platform divers, experience (junior/senior, regional/zone/national/international), hours of dryland/water training, and prior sport exposure. Injury history obtained on questionnaire. One hundred eighty-two divers were surveyed; 70% female. Age to start diving and age to concentrate solely on diving were significantly associated with certain injuries (P < 0.05). Beginning diving before age 13 years of age was significantly associated with lower odds of injuries in the shoulder and wrist (P = 0.013 and 0.018, respectively), after adjusting for select covariates. Age of specialization was not significantly associated with injuries in any body part (P > 0.05), after adjusting for covariates. Greater years of diving experience was significantly associated with diving injuries in all 11 body parts (P < 0.05). This study indicates that early sports specialization is associated with decreased injury rates in elite youth divers who specialized before age 13 years, particularly for head/neck, shoulder, and wrist injuries. Moreover, we observed a positive correlation between experience and injury rate. Further investigation should focus on distinguishing between acute and overuse injuries.

Motivation and Behaviors Related to Sport Specialization in Collegiate Baseball Players.

Early sport specialization is a growing concern among youth sport athletes, particularly in baseball. Motivation to participate in sports is an important factor in determining which sports youth athletes participate in and why. To qualitatively investigate the youth sport participation behaviors and motivations of collegiate baseball players. Qualitative study. Online teleconference. We conducted 25 semistructured interviews with collegiate baseball athletes who were classified as high-level (n = 8), moderate-level (n = 9), or low-level (n = 8) specialists before college. Participants completed individual semistructured interviews to allow us to develop an understanding of their youth and high school sports experiences and associated motivations to engage in those experiences. A framework analysis approach was used to analyze the transcript data and identify themes among the 3 specialization groups. From our interview analysis, 6 overall themes emerged: (1) motivation, (2) stress, (3) quitting, (4) barriers, (5) facilitators of success, and (6) future directions. Moderate- and high-level specialists described greater levels of passion, participating in deliberate practice, greater levels of performance-related stress, and more desire to quit sports than low-level specialists. None of the groups cited parents as an overbearing external motivator to participate in sport at an early age. Participants who were classified as low-, moderate-, or high-level specialists noted different experiences related to their motivation, stress level, desire to quit, barriers to participating in baseball, facilitators of success, and their overall future career goals after completing baseball. This information may be useful for parents, coaches, and health care professionals to better communicate the benefits and risks associated with sport specialization to youth athletes. Future research is needed to determine if differences in motivation levels exist in younger populations.

Early sport specialization impact on rates of injury in collegiate and professional sport participation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Early sport specialization (ESS) is prevalent among adolescent athletes aspiring for elite status. However, the impact of ESS on sports injury (SI) rates during their collegiate and professional careers remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the effect of ESS on SI rates during high-level sport participation. Data sources Search included PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, EMBASE, Cochrane, CINAHL, ERIC, and Medline. Study selection PRISMA guidelines were followed to identify peer-reviewed articles published until 01 August 2023. Eligible studies reported numbers of athletes in collegiate and professional teams, including national, in ESS and their counterpart category, along with the portion with at least one SI. Studies on concussion or non-contact injuries, or without explicit injury reports during elite sport participation were excluded. Of 526 studies, 13 met the criteria, and 5 were included in the quantitative analysis. These studies reported SIs on collegiate and professional athletes. A total of 3087 athletes were analyzed (ESS = 45%). The overall effect showed that ESS athletes had a lower odds ratio (OR = 0.7) of a SI during high-level sport participation, but this finding was not statistically significant (p &gt; 0.05). Results demonstrated that ESS athletes had a lower odds ratio (OR = 0.7) of a SI during elite sport participation, but the effect was not statistically significant. Articles with clear reports are scarce, and thus limit the impact of the findings in this study. High heterogeneity was evident in this analysis, largely due to lack of standardized terminology, evaluation, and data representation. Prospective studies that consider diverse athlete population of the same sport are warranted.

Stress fractures and overuse injuries in children and adolescents

There is an intricate connection between physical activity, bone health, and the susceptibility to stress fractures and overuse injuries. Physical activity has a positive impact on bone strength while a sedentary lifestyle can lead to a heightened risk for injury. The rise of early sports specialization has led to a substantial increase in overuse injuries, particularly in individual sports.Bone Stress Injuries (BSI) represent a category of overuse injuries closely linked to single sport specialization. BSI involves a spectrum of altered bone mechanics, ranging from edema of periosteum, endosteum, and bone; potentially leading to partial or full cortical breaks. This condition is prevalent in high-level athletes and encompasses stress reactions and fractures, resulting from an imbalance between injury creation and repair. Up to 20% of adolescents are affected, with the tibia being the most common location, predominantly occurring in athletes aged 15 to 25. A holistic approach integrating both physical and nutritional aspects is warranted to ensure sustained musculoskeletal health across diverse pediatric and adolescent groups and athletic endeavors. Key Concepts(1)Early and single sports specialization has a substantial impact on overuse injuries.(2)Bone stress injuries are common in high-level athletes resulting from an imbalance between creation and repair of injury.(3)Relative energy deficiency in sports (REDS) is related to a higher risk for recurrent Bone Stress Injuries.(4)Athletes that are lacking vitamin D are found to have an increased risk for stress fractures.

Growing issue of overuse injuries in young athletes

Over the past two decades, participation in professional sports among children and adolescents has surged despite the rising inactivity and obesity rates. Approximately 60 million young individuals in the USA are involved in organized sports. This increase has led to a concerning rise in overuse syndromes, which is becoming a primary concern in sports medicine. Our review aims to examine common overuse syndromes in youth athletes and assess risk factors, pathophysiology, and preventive measures. Early sports specialization, societal pressures, and competitive demands lead to repetitive strain injuries. The young musculoskeletal system, though adaptable, is prone to injuries from intense training and insufficient recovery. Prevention advocates against early sports specialization and promotes adequate rest. Diversifying sports, limiting training hours, and a robust support system are recommended to counteract the mental effects of intense specialization. In summary, a holistic approach is needed to address overuse syndromes, emphasizing diversification, education, and a balanced approach to sports.

Outcomes of "Over the Top" Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Associated with a Lateral Extra-Articular Tenodesis in Children.

(1) Purpose: The incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures in children and adolescents has considerably increased during the last decades due to higher levels of competitive athletic activity, and early sport specialization and professionalization. Contemporary ACL reconstruction techniques have recently been subject to renewed interest in this population. The objective of this study is to report the short- and mid-term results of our physis-sparing ACL reconstruction technique using an "over the top" technique associated with a modified Lemaire procedure. (2) Methods: A retrospective series of 12 junior soccer players who presented to our clinic with a torn ACL between January 2019 and September 2021 was reviewed. The inclusion criteria were patients under 15 years with open tibial and femoral physes, with a stable contralateral knee, a minimum follow-up of 6 months, and a time frame from injury to surgery of <3 months. Patients with previous knee surgery, structural concomitant injuries, muscular, neurological, or vascular abnormalities, or hypersensitivity to metal alloys were excluded. The functional evaluation was performed using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) rating, Lysholm score, and Tegner activity level. Moreover, clinical and radiological assessments were also performed, including KT-1000 and knee X-rays. (3) Results: We identified 1 female and 11 male patients with ACL tears, with a mean age of 13.17 ± 0.9 months. Concomitant injuries include isolated vertical and bucket-handle tears of the medial meniscus, lateral meniscus tears, bilateral tear of both menisci. The mean follow-up time was 26 ± 12.6 months. The average IKDC, Lysholm and Tegner scores were 93.29 ± 11.04, 95.08 ± 13.2 and 9 ± 0.0 points, respectively. The average KT-1000 score of the participants was 0.96 ± 1.6 points. None of the included patients reported post-surgical complications or required additional surgeries. (4) Conclusions: Our novel ACL reconstruction with LET technique is a safe procedure that resulted in good clinical outcomes, lower failure rate and return to sports in skeletally immature patients.

Early Sport Specialization in the Sphere of Long-Term Athlete Development: The Responsibility of Parents and Soccer Coaches Involved in This Process

Due to the significant growth of participants in sports around the world, this article aims to identify the effects of early specialization, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the professionals and people involved in athlete development, especially in the context of soccer. It describes the phases of Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) as a platform for youth sport coaches to encourage and support participants of all levels to reach their full potential and stay involved in the sport. The article provides strategies for soccer coaches to develop their activities and training sessions in alignment with the phases of the LTAD, along with an adequate pedagogical approach to avoid the negative effects of early sport specialization.

Changes in Sports Participation, Specialization, and Burnout From 7th to 12th Grade: Final Results From a 6-Year Longitudinal Study.

Previous studies show alarming rates of burnout and dropout from sports participation and physical activity in the youth population. Early sports specialization may increase the risk of injury, burnout, and eventual dropout from sports. Sports participation will decrease, specialization will increase, and burnout will increase from junior high to high school. Prospective longitudinal study. Level 2b. The graduating class of 2023 was surveyed longitudinally in the fall of each school year from 7th to 12th grade (n = 35-77 from middle to high school based on new enrollment participants and attrition). Survey questions asked about sports participation, specialization, and burnout. Responses were analyzed by grade level using mixed effects linear and logistic regression accounting for repeated measures. The number of days per week in which students engaged in at least 60 minutes of strenuous exercise progressively decreased from 7th through 12th grade from 4.0 to 2.3 days per week (P < 0.01). The percentage of students participating in sports also decreased from 7th to 12th grade from 82% to 39% (P < 0.01). More students stopped participating in a sport (38% vs 22% to 29%, P = 0.04), quit a sport to focus on a single sport (60% vs 46% to 49%, P = 0.01), or reported that 1 sport was most important to them (71% vs 54% to 67%, P = 0.06) in 9th grade. Burnout in sports did not differ significantly by grade level (19% to 23%, P > 0.99). In contrast, burnout in school was significantly more common in high school (54% to 69%) compared with middle school (36%, P < 0.01). Burnout in school was higher in female students compared with male students (68% vs 38%, P < 0.01). Organized sports participation and general physical activity decreased from middle to high school, with the entry into high school at 9th grade being a time at which a significant number of students dropped other sports to specialize in a single sport or stopped participating. Burnout in sports did not appear to increase with age; however, there was an increase in school-related burnout as students transitioned from middle to high school. Our results highlight the need for continued research into sports participation, specialization, and burnout in adolescents. In addition, health professionals and the community (parents, coaches, teachers) supporting youth athletes may consider positive interventions during the periods of transition from middle to high school to include facilitating different tracks of sports participation (including a developmental or recreational model of play) to reduce dropout from sport and supportive measures to lessen burnout from sports and from school.

Perceived competence in ice hockey and its associations with relative age, early sport specialization, and players’ position

IntroductionIce hockey is a sport that has gained much attention in recent times, particularly concerning the development of young players. In the domain of youth sport development, one significant factor that must be considered is the perceived competence of players. This variable is closely linked to positive psychological outcomes and sustained practice. However, there is a lack of understanding about how other important developmental factors such as age, early sport specialization, players’ position and relative age affect players’ perceived competence. Therefore, the objective of this study is to explore the relationships between these developmental factors, perceived ice hockey competence and a global measure of perceived sport competence.MethodsData was drawn from 971 players (14.78 ± 1.61 mean age), who completed on-line questionnaires, from which we conducted path analyses involving all variables.ResultsYounger players tend to display higher perceived competence scores than older players. Additionally, players who opted to specialize earlier also reported higher perceived competence. Furthermore, forwards and defensemen had differing perceptions of their competence, which was in line with their respective roles on the ice. The study also showed relative age effects, in which players who were born earlier relative to the selection period tend to perceive themselves more advantageously in three components of perceived competence.DiscussionBased on these findings, several recommendations are proposed for coaches and decision-makers to encourage the positive development of ice hockey players. The study highlights that ice hockey-specific competencies are influenced by various factors, such as early sport specialization, relative age effect, player age, and position.

Especialização ou diversificação no desenvolvimento esportivo: uma revisão integrativa

Purpose: To explore and discuss theoretical and practical scientific literature to compare sports diversification and early sports specialization as a sport and educational approach.&#x0D; Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, and 61 studies were included.Results: Coaches, parents, and children consider that the best way to develop sports talent and enter the elite in sports is to practice a single discipline as early as possible to achieve specialization and maximum technical skills and physical and psychological conditions. Sports specialization paths may lead to a physical, social, and mental state that compromises their integral development.Conclusion: Sports diversification should be considered first at an early age and, afterward, the specialization once the bases of strength, conditioning, neuromuscular training, and a specific psychomotor maturation have been achieved, so that sports performance and health are not compromised in the medium or long term. It is necessary to consider that few children enter elite sports, so for many of them, sports education will be the basis for exercising their citizenship as active people.

The Onset and Impact of Early Sport Specialization Among Hockey Players from Winnipeg

Early career sport specialization has become increasingly popular among today’s youth athletes. Despite its increasing prominence, this athletic trend has not been historicized in the Canadian context. This paper determines when and why youth athletes began to pursue a certain sport, forgoing other athletic opportunities, as a means to achieve elite-level success. It focuses specifically on hockey players from Winnipeg, Manitoba, who played in the National Hockey League. This qualitative research study uses semi-structured interviews and secondary material to explore the factors that resulted in young male hockey players in Winnipeg being encouraged to exclusively participate in hockey year-round. This study historicizes the shift in youth sport in the post-Second World War period in Canada to better understand the reasons for early sport specialization and the forces that shape contemporary youth sport.

Could there be a Relationship between early Specialization and Load Management Practices in Professional Athletes

This article explores the relationship between early sports specialization and load management, with a focus on youth sports. Emphasizing recommendations for diversified early sports engagement, the authors address challenges in implementing load management practices, potentially impacting the well-being of young athletes. The historical evolution of load management and its myths are discussed, extending the analysis to early sports specialization, outlining its risks, and debunking myths and common misconceptions. The connection between early specialization and load management is discussed, highlighting the need for tailored strategies for young athletes undergoing intense, year-round training. The authors propose solutions, advocating for education, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making at both youth and professional levels. In conclusion, the article urges health professionals to play a pivotal role in fostering healthier, sustainable athletic environments for athletes of all ages and performance levels.

Early sports specialization in Japanese young soccer players and related factors.

Although understanding the status of sports participation is essential for preventing injuries in young athletes, the level of specialization and relevant information in Japan is unknown. This study aimed to clarify the status of sports specialization and examine the relationships between specialization and training status in Japanese young soccer players. Four hundred Japanese young male soccer players were included. The players' parents completed a web questionnaire that consisted of three-point questions regarding specialization and training status (year, days of playing soccer, age when starting soccer). The level of specialization and accompanying information were calculated, and data were compared by specialization status. Of the participants, 53.8% demonstrated a high level of specialization. In addition, 74.5% considered soccer more important than other sports, 89.0% trained in soccer for more than 8 months of the year, and 74.0% had quit other sports to focus on soccer or played only soccer. The proportion of participants who played only soccer was significantly higher in the high-specialization group (37.6%) than in the moderate-specialization (22.5%; P < .01) and low-specialization (7.1%; P < .01) groups. By specialization status at grades 4 to 6 (9-12 years), 40.3% of participants demonstrated a high level of specialization. Young Japanese soccer players tend toward early specialization. Factors contributing to the high specialization level are being active throughout the year and rarely playing other sports. Training volume should be controlled, and an environment allowing young soccer players to participate in other sports simultaneously is needed, with early specialization being avoided.

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

Early sport specialization is a popular and contentious topic in the scientific literature and popular media. The lure of extrinsic rewards has led to increasing rates of specialization among young athletes, while expert recommendations promote multisport participation. The purpose of this study was to describe and analyze developmental activities of a group of elite junior hockey players in Canada. Within this context, elements of specialization were investigated in accordance with existing theoretical frameworks and long-term athlete development models to enhance the literature. Fifteen participants from the Ontario Hockey League completed quantitative retrospective interviews, detailing past sport and recreational activities. Thirty-one developmental milestones were assessed. Accumulated hours of activity were categorized in accordance with Côté's (1999) Developmental Model of Sports Participation, along with the number and types of sports in which they participated during childhood. Jayanthi et al.'s (2015) continuum was utilized to determine the age at which the athletes became moderately and highly specialized. Accrued hours of deliberate practice reported by participants increased from ages 6 to 16 years, as did competition in organized hockey games. Reported hours of deliberate play peaked at 9 years of age and decreased thereafter. Participants played a combined 16 sports other than hockey, ranging from an average of 2.0 at age 6, to a maximum average of 5.6 at 12 years old, and decreasing each year to 2.3 by age 15. The greatest number of hours in other sports was accumulated at 12 years of age. Using a three-point scale, participants considered themselves "highly specialized" at 14 years old; however, other quantitative indicators suggested this may have occurred at 12 years of age. Relative to previous research on early sport specialization, participants in this study spent more time practicing hockey, while ceasing hockey-specific play and other sports at younger ages. Despite a diverse sport history, hockey competition was initiated earlier than recommended, showing high levels of sport commitment as young as 9 years old. The early specialization path remains a popular trajectory among coaches, parents, and athletes in Canadian ice hockey.

Visual representations of single- and multi-sport participation in a youth swimming sample: Implications for definitions and discussions of early specialization.

Academic literature and sport policy documents have cited concerns about an increasing prevalence of early sport specialization, with associated burnout, dropout, and injury. However, evidence to support such statements is limited. Definitions of early specialization vary, but a common criterion is continued participation in a single sport, prior to adolescence. We explored the prevalence of single-sport participation and other patterns of sport involvement from ages 6-12 in a Canadian swimming sample using retrospective longitudinal methods. Parents of 236 competitive swimmers (ages 12-17) completed surveys on their children's sport backgrounds, including the number of sports participated in annually from age 6-12. A cluster heat map elucidated single- and multi-sport patterns over time. Mixed analyses of variance tested for differences by gender and club type. Fourteen percent of our sample showed stable participation in either one sport or multiple sports per year over time, 25% decreased their annual number of sports, and 60% increased. This trend of increasing, rather than decreasing the number of sports in their annual activity roster when approaching age 12 was particularly pronounced for girls. Only 10 participants (4% of the sample) consistently engaged in a single sport each year from age 6-12. Summer (seasonal) swimmers consistently did more sports than year-round swimmers. Overall, our findings showed highly idiosyncratic longitudinal patterns of sport participation that did not easily conform to current sport activity guidelines. We also found similar idiosyncrasy in an ad-hoc analysis of participants who had dropped out of swimming a year later. If single-sport participation is considered a key criterion for defining early specialization, our findings suggest the prevailing narrative around early specialization may be overstated in relation to the number of single-sport athletes. Alternatively, other components of early specialization may be more prevalent and deserving of attention due to possible associations with harmful outcomes.

Poster 368: Effects of Early Sports Specialization on NCAA Basketball Players: Injury, Career Outcomes, and Gender Differences

Objectives: There has been a trend towards single-sport specialization at increasingly younger ages amongst youth athletes. Early specialization has been associated with increased injury rates and reduced career longevity in professional basketball players. However, the effects of early specialization on injury and longevity in college basketball have not been studied. Further, the effects on other important career markers such as recruitment and scholarship attainment are not well understood. The purpose of this study is to determine whether associations exist between early specialization and injury risk, recruitment, scholarship attainment, and career longevity in college basketball athletes. Methods: This study represents a sub-analysis of basketball players from a larger study which surveyed former student athletes from multiple National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) institutions. Former student-athletes from three large Division I institutions as well as other collaborating Division I- III institutions who graduated between 1960 and 2018 were eligible for inclusion in the study. Current basketball athletes were also eligible for participation if they had participated in at least one season of basketball. Athletes were surveyed regarding demographics, age of specialization, time-loss injury history, scholarship attainment, recruitment status, and longevity of college basketball career. Early specialization was defined as narrowing participation to a single sport (basketball) before age 15. For injury history, athletes were specifically queried for sports-related injuries that resulted in greater than 30 days out of sport or were season-ending. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact test were performed to identify significant differences. Results: One hundred and eight basketball players completed the survey, including 6 current athletes and 102 former athletes. There were 54 males and 54 females. Fourteen athletes were classified as early specializers (before age 15) and 94 athletes were classified as late specializers (age 15 and older). There were no significant differences between early and late specializers in terms of rate of time-loss injury (14.3% vs. 31.5%; p = 0.23), rate of surgery for a sports injury (14.3% vs. 18.5%; p = 1.0), or mean college basketball career length (3.21 years vs. 3.09 years; p = 0.4) (Table 1). There was also no significant difference in scholarship attainment (69.2% vs. 66.3%; p = 1.0) or recruitment status (71.4% vs. 71.2%; p = 0.76) (Table 1). Between females and males, there was no significant difference in rate of early specialization (9.3% vs. 14.8%, p = 0.38). There were no significant differences in rates of injury (30.2% vs. 30.2%; p = 1.0), surgery (23.0% vs 13.0%; p = 0.17), scholarship attainment (72.2% vs. 62.8%; p=0.3), or recruitment (72.2% vs. 79.3%; p=0.4) (Table 2). Females on average had a longer collegiate career length than males (3.95 years vs. 2.89 years; p=0.03) (Table 2). Conclusions: Early specializing college basketball players did not experience increased rates of injury, surgery, or decreased collegiate basketball career longevity. Early specializers were also not more likely to be recruited or to receive a scholarship. These findings suggest that early specialization may not be a risk factor for injury, need for surgery, or attrition in the collegiate basketball population. These findings also suggest that early specialization may not be necessary for recruitment or scholarship attainment in college basketball. Further prospective study evaluating all injury types, including overuse injuries, is warranted to better understand the effects of early sport specialization in this population. [Table: see text][Table: see text]

Mental Health in the Specialized Athlete.

The aim of this review is to interpret the existing evidence regarding the psychological aspects of sport specialization within the context of a developmental framework. The growing trend toward early sport specialization is associated with increased risk for injury and burnout, both of which have significant implications for mental health. Mental health literacy programs designed to promote awareness, decrease stigma, and encourage help-seeking behaviors can be an effective way to increase resilience and early recognition of those in need. The trend toward early sport specialization is likely motivated in large part by the expectation that it will increase the likelihood of long-term athletic success. However, recent studies suggest that the majority of elite athletes delay specialization at least until mid to late adolescence. It is essential to consider the developmental psychology of children and adolescents and to avoid imposing expectations that are beyond their neurocognitive capabilities. In addition to depression, anxiety, and burnout, young athletes who are pressured to perform to excessively high standards are likely to internalize athletic failures as feelings of shame. This can lead to maladaptive perfectionistic traits and potentially overtraining, clinical eating disorders, or other harmful behaviors that will result in declines in performance, physical health, and overall wellbeing. Further work is needed to better inform sport-specific recommendations regarding sport specialization and to optimize the beneficial effects of sport participation while limiting the risks of harm.