So, here’s the deal. Over 60 million American kids and teens play organized sports. But, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 70% of them drop out by age 13. Why? They feel drained, stressed, injured, or just lose the fun. This is what we call burnout in youth sports. The intense pressure and high demands lead many young athletes to give up.
To help kids recover physically and mentally, researchers say they need breaks. They should take one or two days off each week and stay away from sports for two to three months each year. Constant pressure to commit early to sports can lead to stress from excessive training, poor sleep, academic issues, and family problems.
What Specialists Think of Burnout in Youth Sports?
The Psychology of Giving Up
For her part, sports medicine specialist Dr. Rebecca L. Carl said that children “need time for homework, family responsibilities, free play, and time to rest,” pointing out the mistaken perception that overtraining is the most effective way for a child to achieve athletic success in the future. This perception contributes to the psychology of not liking sports among young athletes.
Excessive Stress Can Erase the Benefits of Sports
Playing organized sports is great for kids. Dr Cassidy Davelar says it improves motor skills, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, healthy weight, and endurance. It also builds social bonds, boosts academic performance, and teaches teamwork, communication, and how to handle conflicts. But, if sports become too stressful, these benefits can disappear, and kids might stop playing altogether.
When Do Children Benefit from Stress?
A survey showed that many kids quit sports because they couldn’t meet the performance or appearance expectations they see in the media and on social media. This highlights the challenges in burnout in athletes. Dr. Kody Moffat says parents often push their kids towards professional sports without realizing this pressure can make them quit. Kids want to stay active, play, and have fun with friends, not just win.
How to Prevent Burnout in Youth Sports
On the other hand, and despite the common impression that stress, in general, may negatively affect children’s health, performance and productivity, research conducted by Staffordshire University in the United Kingdom showed, “Stress isn’t always a bad thing, but rather young athletes can use it better to their advantage, to increase their enjoyment of games.”
Dr. Paul Mansell, the study's lead researcher, found that children and teens playing sports can maintain their mental health and improve their performance when they begin to feel tired, by using simple cognitive behavioral therapy techniques.
Helping young athletes reach the recommended 60 minutes or more of moderate physical activity daily may make them better cope with stress and contribute to reducing negative feelings about competition. It helps improve their athletic performance and benefits them on and off the field.
7 Ways to Make Sports Beneficial for Children
Here are some recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics for parents and coaches:
Having fun is more important than pressure to win prizes. Dr. Moffat says kids should enjoy playing more than parents enjoy watching them. Encourage their independence and let them talk about their successes and failures in games. This helps turn these experiences into valuable life lessons.
Correct understanding of the meaning of sporting success. Losing can build character and make kids try harder next time. Talk to them calmly about their losses without blaming them or others.
Avoid excessive training. Too much training without enough rest can harm a child’s performance and increase the risk of injury.
Don’t underestimate injuries. Overtraining can cause injuries to bones, muscles, or tendons. Kids feel pressure to keep playing despite pain. It’s crucial to let them rest until they fully recover.
The importance of sleep and nutrition. Kids need 8 to 10 hours of sleep for recovery and performance. Make sure they get enough protein, carbs, fruits, vegetables, and even fats.
Monitor signs of fatigue. Fatigue is a leading cause of kids quitting sports. Signs include loss of interest, sleep problems, anxiety, and decreased academic and athletic performance.
Inclusiveness instead of focusing on sports only. Let kids try different activities after the season ends. It doesn’t have to be another sport; it could be something artistic that refreshes them physically and mentally.
By following these tips, we can help prevent burnout in youth sports and ensure that young athletes maintain a healthy balance between sports and other aspects of their lives.
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