Youth sport specialization: a multidisciplinary scoping systematic review

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Developmental Psychology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Youth sport specialization is a growing area of interest, but a comprehensive understanding remains elusive.
• Existing research on sport specialization lacks synthesis, potentially weakening practical recommendations for young athletes.
• Popular and scholarly narratives often question the adaptive nature of early sport specialization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a multidisciplinary scoping review of empirical research on youth sport specialization.
• To summarize key findings on sport specialization participation behaviors and outcomes.
• To examine the characteristics of existing research and identify future research directions.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review protocol was employed, searching multiple databases across various disciplines.
• 906 publications were screened, with 40 empirical research studies meeting inclusion criteria for analysis.
• Data were analyzed to identify emerging themes and characteristics of the research landscape.

Main Results:

• Two primary themes emerged: sport specialization participation behaviors and sport specialization outcomes.
• Descriptive analysis explored the characteristics of the empirical research, including publication fields and study designs.
• Key findings provide a foundation for recommendations on structuring youth sport participation.

Conclusions:

• A significant gap exists in the holistic understanding of youth sport specialization.
• Further research is needed to address identified gaps and refine recommendations for young athletes.
• This review provides a comprehensive overview and roadmap for future investigations into sport specialization.