American Academy of Pediatrics
Intensive training and sports specialization in young athletes. American Academy of Pediatrics. Committee on Sports Medicine and Fitness
Abstract
Children involved in sports should be encouraged to participate in a variety of different activities and develop a wide range of skills. Young athletes who specialize in just one sport may be denied the benefits of varied activity while facing additional physical, physiologic, and psychologic demands from intense training and competition. This statement reviews the potential risks of high-intensity training and sports specialization in young athletes. Pediatricians who recognize these risks can have a key role in monitoring the health of these young athletes and helping reduce risks associated with high-level sports participation.
Source and rights
Published by Pediatrics, 2000. The guideline itself is at the source linked here.
Prognia summarises this guideline for reference and education. It is not medical advice. Always check the official guideline and current local protocols before acting on it.
At a glance
- Organisation
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- Published
- 2000
- Applies to
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Scope
- National
- Journal
- Pediatrics
- PubMed
- 10878168
- Added to Prognia
- 25 July 2026







