American Academy of Pediatrics Offers Health and Safety Tips on How to Keep the Fun in Sports

While it’s exciting to watch your child excel in single sport and devote time to it, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourages all parents and families to take a commonsense approach when it comes to sports training. 
 
These days, it's less common to see kids outside playing pick-up games or racing each other to see who's the fastest. Open, free play seems to be less popular as young kids choose a single sport or activity and play it all year round.
 
“Organized sports can be great for kids. They can help them develop physical and social skills and get regular exercise that supports healthy growth and well-being,” said Drew Watson, MD, MS, FAAP. “But studies also show us that the majority of kids across the U.S. stop playing sports by age 13. This is a warning sign that far too many young people are experiencing burnout.”
 
Burnout is what happens when kids no longer feel a sense of fun and accomplishment when playing or practicing. Burnout can cause them to lose interest and turn away from the activities they once loved. Burnout also interferes with building a lifelong habit of physical activity and the physical and mental health benefits it provides.
 
Single-minded, non-stop focus on just one activity—whether it's baseball, swimming, football, dance, gymnastics, hockey, lacrosse or any other choice—may cause some kids to lose interest and enthusiasm. They may believe that specializing (and winning) in the sport is what coaches, parents and families want and need them to do. In the worst situations, kids may assume this sport is their only chance for success in life.
 
“We encourage families to take a positive attitude toward sports that focuses on fun, teamwork and regular exercise,” said Joel S. Brenner, MD, MPH, FAAP. “This way, sports can become part of a balanced lifestyle that keeps kids active and healthy into adulthood.”
 
Here are some tips for healthy youth sports participation:

• Wait to start organized sports until about age 6, when kids are fully ready. Younger kids should enjoy free play every day to help bones, muscles and balance develop and give them a chance to exercise social skills, too—all without pressure to perform.
• Encourage your child to play a variety of sports. Studies show that kids thrive when they try out many different activities before puberty. They also are less likely to lose interest or drop out when they engage in more than one sport.
• Focus on fun. Did you know that kids say fun is the #1 reason they want to play sports? Give them the freedom to choose activities they truly enjoy. Avoid too much emphasis on outcomes or performance, especially in younger children.
• Set training limits. A good general rule is that kids should not train more hours each week than their age. AAP experts advise parents and families to plan for 1 to 2 days of rest every week with at least 2-3 months off during the year. The time off can be divided into 1-month increments.
• Consider what's driving your child. Are they thinking about success in college? Or becoming wealthy, famous athletes later in life? These are exciting dreams, but parents and caregivers should present a balanced view. Remind your child that only 3% to 11% of high-school athletes go on to compete in college, and only 1% receive athletic scholarships. The percentage of high school athletes who go on to professional careers is less than 1%.
• Keep an eye on your child's health. Growing athletes need plenty of sleep and good nutrition to recover from the stress that training puts on their bodies. Be sure your child gets plenty of foods high in iron, calcium and vitamin D. Female athletes should watch for issues caused by overtraining, like missed periods. And because many sports stress the value of maintaining a certain weight or body type, always watch for signs of disordered eating in your child.
• Watch for signs of abuse. If anything makes you uneasy about your child's relationship with coaches and other adults in an athletic program, take action. If you see or hear something that suggests abuse, or your child complains of mistreatment, speak up immediately. Your child's doctor can help you map out a plan to advocate for your child.
• Set a positive example. If kids see you working out or playing sports 7 days a week, even when you're feeling tired or suffering from pain, they may try to do the same. After all, kids pick up cues about what parents expect. If you practice healthy self-care, they will too.

“Your attitude about your child's athletic performance matters, too,” Dr. Watson said. “Look for ways to appreciate everything they do, not just what they accomplish on the court, playing field or gym. Celebrating their effort rather than the outcome of the events and knowing you love them unconditionally fosters the confidence they need to pursue their own goals and enjoy sports to the fullest.”

For more information, go to HealthyChildren.org.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.