While more than 60 million American children and teens participated in organized sports, based on competition and winning trophies, the American Academy of Pediatrics released research in 2016 showing that “70% of them drop out by age 13, either due to exhaustion, stress, or injury, or loss of enjoyment.”
But to help them recover physically and mentally, the researchers recommended encouraging children and adolescents to take at least one or two days off from competition and training each week, and to take two to three months off each year from participating.
Warning of the dangers of pressuring children to commit early to sports and practice them year-round, the Academy warned that they could suffer from "excessive overtraining, leading to poor sleep, academic difficulties, and social and family problems."
For her part, sports medicine specialist Dr. Rebecca L. Carle emphasized that children "need time for homework, family responsibilities, free play, and rest," pointing out that the misconception that overtraining is the most effective way for a child to achieve future athletic success is false.
Benefits that may be canceled out by fatigue and excessive stress
It's a good idea to encourage children and adolescents to participate in organized sports, given their many benefits. Dr. Cassidy Davelar, the lead researcher, confirms that they are beneficial for motor efficiency, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, healthy weight, and endurance.
It also "strengthens social bonds, improves academic performance, and helps teach important life skills, such as teamwork and communication, conflict management, and how to learn from mistakes," psychologist Sarah Orrick tells Fatherly.
Although these benefits can last a lifetime, “they may not be achieved if the sport is excessively stressful, and may even be completely eliminated if stress causes children to stop participating.”
A survey conducted last year also reported that many children "dropped out of sports because they didn't feel they could meet the performance or appearance expectations prevalent in the media and social media."
That's why most parents invest so much time and money into pushing their children into prize-winning sports that lead to professional careers, "without realizing they may be driving their kids away from sports altogether," Dr. Cody Moffatt, chief of sports medicine at Nebraska Children's Hospital, told USA Today.
He attributed this to "the pressure that makes sports less fun for many children and more linked to the concept of success in the eyes of adults," as they want to stay active, play, and have fun with their friends, without caring about winning or losing.
When do children benefit from stress?
On the other hand, despite the prevailing perception that stress in general can negatively impact children's health, performance, and productivity, research conducted by Staffordshire University in the United Kingdom last year showed that "stress isn't always a bad thing. In fact, young athletes can use it to their advantage, increasing their enjoyment of competitive games and developing lifelong coping skills."
Dr. Paul Mansell, the study's lead researcher, found that child and adolescent athletes can maintain their mental health and improve their performance when they start to feel overwhelmed by using simple cognitive behavioral therapy techniques.
Helping young athletes achieve the recommended 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily may help them cope better with stress, reduce negative feelings about competition, and improve their athletic performance, benefiting them on and off the field.
7 Ways to Make Sports Beneficial and Motivating for Kids
Regarding what parents can do about this, Dr. Moffat shared the following recommendations with the authors of the American Academy of Pediatrics report:
1- Enjoyment is more important than the pressure to win awards.
Dr. Moffat recommends a healthy relationship with sports, "where children stay physically active, compete in a team-oriented and sportsmanlike environment, and learn how to win and lose gracefully."
“If you want your kids to continue playing sports, they should enjoy playing sports more than you enjoy watching them,” he says, by fostering their independence and allowing them to discuss successes and failures in games, turning them into memories and experiences to learn from in life.
2- Correct understanding of the meaning of sports success
Parents feel angry when their children lose in sports, even though it's against the child's best interests. Experts say that "losing is good for character building" and can motivate a child to work harder and perform better next time, "if we talk to them calmly, without blaming them or anyone else."
3- Avoid overtraining.
The report indicated that extended training periods without sufficient recovery time can harm the child, leading to decreased performance, increased risk of injury, and psychological impact on the child.
4- Do not underestimate injuries.
Overtraining children can lead to bone, muscle, or tendon injuries. Furthermore, children feel pressure from coaches and parents, and are anxious not to let their teammates down, which can cause them to continue participating despite experiencing some pain or a desire to rest. This emphasizes the importance of resting when injured or experiencing pain until they are fully recovered.
5- The importance of sleep and nutrition
Experts describe 8 to 10 hours of sleep as “one of the most important medicines” for recovery and performance in children, along with ensuring they get enough protein, carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, and even fats.
6- Monitor signs of fatigue.
According to the report, “burnout is one of the leading causes of attrition in youth sports.” Its most common signs include "loss of interest or motivation in sports, sleep disturbances, fatigue, anxiety, lack of concentration, and decreased academic and athletic performance."
7- Inclusiveness instead of focusing on sports only
It's okay for children to try a different activity after the season ends. It doesn't have to be a sporting activity; It could be an artistic activity, for example, that refreshes them physically and mentally.
Read also : It may cause amputation. What is the "hair tond" that affects the limbs of infants?
0 Comments