2014 AMSSM Position Statement Overuse Injuries

and Burnout in Youth Sports

Craig Young MD

Epidemiology  •  27  million  US  youth  between  6  to  18  yo  par<cipate  in  team  sports.    

•  60  million  children  6  to  18  yo  par<cipate  in  organized  athle<cs  –  44  million  par<cipate  >  1  sport    

•  Overall  es<mates  of  overuse  injuries  range  from  45.9%  to  54%    

Risk  factors  for  overuse  injuries  

•  Prior  injury  •  Adolescent  growth  spurt  •  Amenorrhea  •  Higher  training  volume  

Readiness  for  sport  • Match  between  growth  &  development  and  spor<ng  demands  –  Chronological  age  not  good  indicator  – Unrealis<c  parental/coaching  expecta<ons  

Sports  specializa<on  •  Increased  rates  of  burnout  &  overuse  injury  

•  Diversified  sports  training  may  be  more  effec<ve  in  developing  elite-­‐level  skills  

•  Possible  excep<ons  (early  entry  sports):  – Gymnas<cs,  figure  ska<ng  &  swimming/diving    

Preven<on  •  Limited  par<cipa<on  <me  &  scheduled  rest  periods  

• Monitoring  &  individualized  modifica<on  •  Preseason  condi<oning  •  Preprac<ce  neuromuscular  training  •  Proper  sized  equipment  •  Emphasis  on  skill  development  instead  of  compe<<on  &  winning  

Level  of  evidence  •  All  B  &  C  •  Only  A’s    

–  Risk  from  previous  injury  

–  All  overuse  injuries  are  not  benign  

Downloadable  fact  sheet  

Downloadable  fact  sheet  •  hdps://magic.piktochart.com/output/1045223-­‐final-­‐pos-­‐statement-­‐infographic  

Kids  just  want  to  have  fun  •  “Fun”  defined  by  kids  as    

–  Being  part  of  a  team  –  Experiencing  success  – Having  an  encouraging  coach  – Developing  new  skills  

Final  words  •  “What  is  the  first  thing  you  ask  your  children  when  they  come  through  the  door  aker  a  game?”    –  “Did  you  win?”  or  was  it  “Did  you  have  fun?”  

•  Dr.  John  Lombardo  at  the  2001  American  Medical  Society  for  Sports  Medicine’s    Annual  Mee<ng  in  San  Antonio.      

References  •  DiFiori JP. Benjamin HJ. Brenner J. Gregory A.

Jayanthi N. Landry GL. Luke A. Overuse injuries and burnout in youth sports: a position statement from the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. Clin J Sport Med. 24(1):3-20, 2014 Jan.UI: 24366013

•  Gill DL, Gross JB, Heddleston S. (1983) Participation motivation in youth sports. Int J Sport Psych. Vol.14(1): 1-14.

References  •  Hedstrom R., Gould D. (2004). Research in

Youth Sports: Critical Issues Status: White Paper Summaries of the Existing Literature. East Lansing, MI: Institute for the Study of Youth Sports, Michigan State University.

•  Klint KA. Weiss MR. (1986) Dropping in and dropping out: participation motives of current and former youth gymnasts. Can J Appl Sport Sci. 11(2):106-14.

References  •  Seefeldt, V., Ewing, M., & Walk, S. (1992). Overview of

youth sports programs in the United States. Washington, DC: Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development.

•  Tuffey S. (1996) Why do kids quit? Coaches Quat; 3:7-8. •  Tuffey S, Medbery T, Gould D. (2006). Kids tell us what is

fun. Colorado Springs, CO: USA Swimming •  Young CC. The importance of putting the fun back in to

youth sports. ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal. 2012. 16(6): 39-40.