Overuse Injuries in Young Athletes

With spring sports season in full swing we want to dive into the new study that the American Academy of Pediatrics just published in January 2024 regarding overuse injuries, overtraining, and burnout in young athletes. 

There’s no question that children and teens experience numerous physical and mental health benefits from participating in organized sports but according to the newly published study, 70% of them will drop out by the age of 13. This is a huge problem because dropping out of organized sports plays a major role in 75% of adolescents not getting the recommended amount of physical activity for their age. 

The rise of early specialization in youth sports (intense training in a SINGLE sport for more than 8 months of the year) was found to be the leading cause of overuse injuries, overtraining, and burnout in young athletes. Young athletes who specialize in a sport are also at a greater risk for anxiety and depression!

What is an overuse injury?

An overuse injury is an injury that results from cumulative microtrauma to bone, muscle, and/or tendon as a function of repetitive stress with insufficient recovery. Young athletes often experience overuse injuries in their lower legs. 

Risk factors for overuse injury

Young athletes are at greater risk for overuse injury all together because their growing bones are less tolerant of stress than those of adults  

Young female athletes, endurance sport athletes, and athletes with a prior injury appear to be at increased risk for overuse injury. 

Factors such as nutrition, anatomy, technique, age, BMI, sleep, and prior injury can have a significant influence on the risk of overuse injury

The AAPs Recommendations on how to prevent overuse injury, overtraining, and burnout 

• 1-2 rest days each week where the young athlete doesn’t participate in sport-specific training and competition

• 2-3 months a year away from a specific sport 

• Encouraging early diversification in sports without intense training

• Promote proper nutrition and sleep for recovery

• The focus of the sport should be on fun, skill acquisition, safety, and sportsmanship

• If a young athlete complains of nonspecific muscle or joint problems, fatigue, mood changes, or poor academic performance be alert for overtraining or burnout 

How can a young athlete benefit from working with a physical therapist?

There are many benefits to young athletes working with physical therapists. Initially, a functional movement screening can be performed to address any abnormal mechanics or strength deficits that may contribute to injury risk. The physical therapist can then develop an at home program for the young athlete to help maintain mobility and strength to supplement the needs of a sport. If the young athlete has already sustained an overuse injury, a physical therapist can perform manual techniques to address any soft tissue or joint restrictions to help return an athlete to their sport or to be used throughout a season to reduce risk of injury/pain. A PT can also give thorough guidance on how the child can return to a sport safely after sustaining an injury. 

While our children being involved in sports can be so fun it’s important to remember that they are exactly that, children! It’s so important that we aren’t pushing them too much and giving them time to just be kids!

At Women in Motion, our therapists are all board certified in orthopedics and strongly believe that pain free movement throughout the lifespan is essential. We would love to work with your young athlete to help prevent injury and instil the foundation for a lifelong love of movement