The Disadvantages of Sports Specialization and the Advantages of Sports Diversification
Athletes' Page
Why was this Created?
This page was created to help athletes understand the dangers of sports specialization and the benefits of sports diversification.
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Recently, a new style of training has shown up in youth sports. This style encourages athletes to pick one sport on which to focus at an early age. This style of training is called sports specialization: the idea that if a student focuses on one sport at an early age, he or she will be more likely to become a varsity, college or professional athlete. Supporters of specialization claim that by specializing, the athlete is more likely to earn a college scholarship or even a spot on an Olympic team (Wiersma 2000).
The problem with sports specialization is that visions of grand success do not align with reality. The fact is that only a tiny percentage of youth athletes find acclaim at college or Olympic levels.
Image by Samuel Chi editor of Real Clear Sports (Link to http://www.realclearsports.com/lists/best_athlete_golfers/babe_didrikson_zaharias.html?state=stop)
Great Male Multi-Sport Athletes
Jim Brown
-Hall of fame football player. Regarded as one of the greatest football and lacrosse players of all time, regardless of position.
Deion Sanders
- NFL Football and MLB baseball player. Football hall of famer. Only man to ever play in the super bowl and world series. Only man to ever hit a home run and score a touchdown in the same week.
Bo Jackson
- Chosen number 1 overall in the NFL draft, played MLB baseball first. All-star baseball player and All Star game MVP 1989.
Jim Thorpe
- Considered to be the greatest multi-sport athlete of all time. Won Olympic gold medals in the pentathlon and decathlon, played in MLB, NFL and had a basketball career. Was elected first president of the NFL (now called the Commissioner) (Timmons 2008).
Image by Syracuse University Associated Press on New York Times.com (Link to http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/01/sports/football/nfl-great-jim-brown-returns-to-manhasset-still-a-hometown-hero.html?_r=0)
Image by Best Health (Link to http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/mental-health/clara-hughes-on-the-ride-of-her-life/)
Great Female Multi-Sport Athletes
Lottie Dod
- Youngest woman to win Wimbledon Ladies Singles Championship at age 15. Went on to win 4 more times. English national field hockey player. Won British Ladies Amateur golf tournament in 1904. Also won silver medal for archery in 1908 Olympics.
Clara Hughes
- Canadian cyclists and speed skater. 6 time Olympian. Only person to win multiple medals in summer and winter Olympics
Ellyse Perry
- Australian athlete who made national appearance in both Australian cricket and soccer at the age of 16. Still playing both at the national level (Wood 2008).
Babe Didrikson
- Considered the greatest female athlete of all time. Great golfer, All American Basketball and won 2 gold medals in the 1932 Olympics.
Effects of Specialization
Specializing at an early age can lead to some major problems including:
1. Overuse Injuries- when a muscle or tendon is overused and causes injury (Jayanthi 2013).
2. Burnout- athletes lose interest in the sport because they have done nothing but play it (Jayanthi 2013).
3. Stress- athletes become stressed out about the sport they play year-round (Jayanthi 2013).
4. Hurts Athletic Development- athletes train to be specifically good at certain movements but do not reach full athletic potential (Devine 2013).
5. Twice as Likely to Get Hurt- athletes who specialize are twice as likely to get hurt than those who play multiple sports (Kroichick 2013).
6. Increases Chances of Depression- Athletes who play 1 sport year-round are more likely to become depressed (Wojtys 2013).
NCAA Research
Steph Curry: Multi Sport Athlete
Steph Curry, known for his exceptional play on the basketball court, was a multi-sport athlete growing up. He chose to focus on Basketball after he turned 13 and had reached an elite level.
How to Avoid Specialization
-Play More than One Sport a Year- This will teach you how to be an overall better athlete (Coakely, Sheridan, Howard, Graham & Faigenbaum 2010).
-Work with Your Coaches and Athletic Directors- Talking about your options will help coaches and athletic directors understand what you are thinking.
-Talk with Your Parents- Talking with your parents about what you want to do. If you are starting to become stressed, depressed or have become injured let them know! Also, if you do not want to continue to play a sport year-round or focus on just one sport, let them know! Simple communication can go a long way.
Image by Michelle Blackburn on Meridian Football.com (Link to http://www.meridianfootball.com/gallery/index.php/2013-Season/Oct-25-2013-Meridian-vs-Lynden-Christian/DSC_1355)
Christian Mcaffery- Multiple Sport Athlete
In this video Christian Mcaffery, current Stanford running back and Heisman Trophy runner up, talks about why he played multiple sports in high school. This video is a great example why you do not need to play just one sport in high school to become a collegiate athlete. Video by Reebok on YouTube (Link to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbYEbpsS4fA)