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Training issues in elite young athletes
Rebecca A Demorest1, Gregory L Landry
1University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Pediatrics, 2870 University Avenue, Suite 200, Madison, WI 53705, USA. ra.demorest@hosp.wisc.edu
Current Sports Medicine Reports
|May 5, 2004
Summary
Intense training in young athletes can lead to injuries and growth delays, but adult height is unaffected. Proper weight training is safe, and monitoring for stress is key for rewarding sports participation.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Pediatric Sports Medicine
- Adolescent Sports Medicine
Background:
- Increased sports participation opportunities for young athletes over the past decade.
- Potential risks associated with intense training at a young age.
- Importance of promoting healthy physical activity and participation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the risks and benefits of intense training for young athletes.
- To discuss injury prevention and management strategies.
- To provide guidance on appropriate sports participation for young athletes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on young athletes, sports injuries, and growth.
- Analysis of the impact of intense training, nutrition, and weight training.
- Consideration of neurobehavioral development in sports participation.
Main Results:
- Elite young athletes face risks of overuse and growth plate injuries.
- Intense training and inadequate nutrition may cause temporary growth delay, not affecting adult height.
- Properly executed weight training is safe and effective for young athletes.
Conclusions:
- Close monitoring of young athletes for physical and emotional stress is crucial.
- Neurobehavioral development should guide sports participation decisions.
- Ensuring sports participation remains fun and rewarding is essential for young athletes' well-being.