Early Specialization & Growth Plate Injuries: What’s the Connection?
Youth sports have become more competitive than ever. Many children now focus on a single sport from a very young age, training year-round with the hope of achieving excellence. While dedication is important, early sports specialization comes with significant risks—one of the most concerning being growth plate injuries . As a sports medicine doctor, I frequently see young athletes sidelined by preventable injuries related to overuse and improper training during growth years. Understanding the connection between early specialization and growth plate injuries is essential for parents, coaches, and young athletes. What Is Early Sports Specialization? Early sports specialization refers to intensive training in a single sport before puberty , usually with: Year-round participation High training volume Little or no involvement in other sports Examples include: A child playing only cricket or football throughout the year Gymnasts or tennis players training competit...