• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Howard J. Luks, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon

Howard J. Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon Sports Medicine Specialist

  • Articles
  • Notes
  • Podcast
  • Book
  • Education
    • Shoulder Injuries
    • Knee Injuries
    • Elbow Injuries
  • About
Blog / Articles / Pediatric Orthopedic

Predicting Injury In Youth Sports

Howard J. Luks, MD Updated September 17, 2021

Sports related injuries in our children are increasing at an alarming rate.  Single sport specialization and over-training is rampant in youth sports.  An entire industry is being built around this concept.  Youth coaches, strength coaches, conditioning coaches, pitching coaches for 10 years olds and so on add  to the overall risks.  As a sports medicine physician I no longer see seasonal injury patterns.  Instead I’m seeing the same injuries year round.    These injuries include:

  • ACL injuries
  • Tommie John Ligament – UCL of the elbow
  • Hamstring tears
  • Stress fractures
  • Ankle sprains
  • Shoulder instability and labral tears
  • and on and on.

For years, many prominent sports medicine physicians have spoken out against the risks of single sport specialization.  As more and more research on the topic emerges, it has been shown that having your child only train for a single sport, year round, is the number one predictor of developing a sports related injury.  The exact injury will depend on the sport.  Sadly, the effect of that injury may be with your child for a lifetime.

Overuse pitching elbow injuries

Many parents believed that single sports participation would improve their child’s chance of remaining active in sports.

Recent studies show that children who specialize in a single sport are more likely to burnout, quit and remain inactive.

Many parents feel that single sports specialization is the best way to have their child noticed by a college scout.

The vast majority of college athletes are involved in more than one sport.  Each sport teaches different tactics which are applicable if applied to their primary sport. Each different sport trains our muscles, ligaments and mind in a different manner. 

Many parents feel that early single sports specialization is the only way to have their children attain a certain skill level.

Again, a child started in a single sport early on is more likely to burn out and not return to any sports. They are more likely to be injured and not be able to return to their chosen sport — or they might need to endure the recovery from a surgical procedure which could impact their lives forever.

We all love our children. You would never intentionally put your child in harms way.  Unfortunately with the research coming forward on the evils of single sports participation it appears that is exactly what we are doing.

The huge majority of you reading this have children who will not qualify for any sports in college or beyond.  They have an infinitesimally small chance of hitting the Big Leagues or the Premier League.  Let your child enjoy being active.  Let them learn the importance of being a team member.  The lessons learned in sports carry far beyond the playing field.   With an obesity epidemic looming, our number one goal should be to have an active child who enjoys sports so much that they will chose to remain active for decades to come.

 

 

 

Categories: Pediatric Orthopedic, Sports Medicine

Disclaimer:  this information is for your education and should not be considered medical advice regarding diagnosis or treatment recommendations. Some links on this page may be affiliate links. Read the full disclaimer.
Longevity... Simplified: Living A Longer, Healthier Life Shouldn’t Be Complicated

My new book is available now.

“The seven simple steps to make ‘longevity simplified’, will help to improve your metabolic health right now.” – Dr. Neil Meigh

Learn More
Read Reviews

Related Articles

Is Single Sport Specialization Hurting Our Children
Meniscus tears in children
When Should My Child Have ACL Surgery- Video
When should I have ACL surgery
Early ACL Reconstruction Strongly Recommended For Young Athletes
PRP Injection Tennis Elbow
Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries
Pediatric Shoulder and Elbow Injury Prevention: Obeying Pitch Counts
Moderate-intensity training to improve mitochondrial fitness and endurance skills
Howard J. Luks, MD

Howard J. Luks, MD is an orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, he is widely known as one of the country’s best orthopedic surgeons.

Book Appointment · About · Contact

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube

Like what you’re reading?

Get the latest posts in your inbox

Primary Sidebar

Howard J. Luks, MD is an orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, he is widely known as one of the country’s best orthopedic surgeons.

Book Appointment · About · Contact

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube

Like what you’re reading?

Get the latest posts in your inbox

Longevity... Simplified: Living A Longer, Healthier Life Shouldn’t Be Complicated

My new book is available now.

Learn More
Read Reviews

Reader Favorites

  • Batters shoulder posterior labral tear
    Batter’s Shoulder : Posterior Labral Tears
  • LEg exercises improve longevity
    Runners require strength too: What to do and when to do it
  • calcific tendonitis and severe shoulder pain
    Why Does My Shoulder Hurt So Much?
  • lactate polarized training
    Lactate, the lactate shuttle, and lactate threshold workouts in polarized training
  • Zone 2 heart rate training
    Zone 2 Heart Rate Training For Longevity and Performance
  • knee swelling
    Pain In The Front Of The Knee: 6 Common Causes
  • Polarized training for runners
    Polarized training for everyday runners: Part 1
  • Exercise is more important than ever
    Does Exercise Cause Osteoarthritis?

Howard J Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine
128 Ashford Avenue
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

Phone: (914)-559-1900
Book Appointment

Pages

  • About
  • Upcoming Books
  • Testimonials
  • In The News
  • Media Photos
  • Contact

Topics

  • Shoulder
  • Knee
  • Elbow
  • Metabolic Health
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Training

More

  • COVID
  • Ankle
  • Hip
  • PRP
  • Running
  • Sports Medicine
  • Articles
  • Notes
  • Podcast
  • Book
  • Education
  • About

© 2023 · Howard J Luks, MD · Disclaimer & Terms · Privacy Policy
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This site should be used for informational purposes only.