A new report has unveiled that burnout and overtraining are compelling young athletes to abandon sports.

Early burnout among teenagers and children in organized sports is a concern, with experts offering potential explanations.

A new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published in the journal Pediatrics on Jan. 22 revealed the dropout stat for overuse injuries, overtraining, and burnout in young athletes.

As the number of young athletes playing on multiple teams and training year-round increases, pediatricians are reporting a rise in cases of burnout and stress injuries among young athletes.

Dr. James Barsi, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Stony Brook Children's Hospital, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that burnout is a real issue that parents and coaches must be aware of.

A high school football team's quarterback, who also plays travel baseball on Long Island, New York, stated that he observes burnout among some of his peers.

"The pressure on kids today to excel as athletes is immense, with the constant expectation to train harder and harder, as if it's the only way to succeed, said the former teammate, adding that his former teammates have reached their breaking point."

The AAP report, which updated a 2007 report, stated that excessive training and scheduling could cause burnout, contributing to the high dropout rate in sports.

The report pointed out that the high volume of training could negatively impact a young athlete's sense of well-being and quality of life.

Dr. Andrew Watson, M.D., co-author of the report, stated in a news release that when an athlete no longer has any free play time or opportunity to engage in other non-sport-related activities, training becomes a problem, whether it is specialized or multisport.

"The old saying ‘no pain, no gain’ doesn’t necessarily hold true."

Experts agree that some level of stress can be beneficial, but too much can lead to issues.

Watson stated that athletic competition and training inevitably cause some stress, which, when managed effectively, results in adaptation, achievement, and enjoyment.

"When that stress becomes excessive, it can lead to burnout."

Overtraining, as defined by the AAP, is a decline in performance resulting from an imbalance between training and recovery, which is commonly characterized by persistent fatigue, impaired sleep, and mood changes.

Dr. Kristin Hopkins, the director of the Women's Sports Medicine Center at Stony Brook Medicine and the team physician at Stony Brook University athletics on Long Island, New York, did not contribute to the report but offered her thoughts on it.

In today's sports scene, kids who are passionate about one sport and aspire to play it in college face the risk of burnout and injuries because there is no off-season.

Continuous play can increase the risk of overuse injuries in kids' joints, as they may not have been visible before, as a child may play a sport for a season and then switch to another sport, using different muscle groups.

‘Micro-trauma' to bone and soft tissue

Repetitive stress without sufficient recovery time can lead to an overuse injury, according to the AAP.

Micro-trauma to bone and soft tissue, such as muscles or tendons, can accumulate over time.

The report stated that pain usually develops following an activity and eventually persists even when resting.

A New York pediatric orthopedic surgeon said he is seeing spine stress fractures about 10 times a month.

Experts stated that due to their still-growing bones, children and adolescents are more likely to suffer injuries from stress than adults.

Barsi, a pediatric surgeon, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that he sees spine stress fractures approximately 10 times a month, which he referred to as an "increasing epidemic" of overuse injuries in children.

Barsi stated that recovery from this injury usually involves rest, which can be challenging for a teen athlete who feels the need to perform and maintain their position on a sports team.

"Barsi stated that while he always emphasizes the long-term perspective, a brief period of rest in the short term might be better for them."

If injuries worsen, it could result in long-term damage, causing athletes to miss not just a few weeks, but an entire season.

"I tell parents and kids that if you’re playing one sport for more hours of a week than your age, you’re doing too much of that sport."

Physicians advised athletes to include rest days and stretching in their workout routine.

"Barsi stated that tightness in children is likely due to a lack of stretching, growth spurts, and natural tightness. This can increase the risk of injuries. However, stretching can prevent these injuries by loosening up tight muscles."

He also said athletes should listen to their bodies.

"Their body communicates through pain to indicate they should slow down," he stated. "The adage 'no pain, no gain' may not always be accurate."

In the report, Dr. Joel Brenner, M.D., stated that sports can motivate young people to stay active physically and mentally, but some youth may feel pressured by parents, coaches, and others to define success solely based on performance.

Suggesting that practices such as mindfulness and taking breaks from sports could prevent burnout and injuries, he proposed.

Hopkins said avoiding burnout and overtraining starts at home.

"If a child is spending more hours per week playing a single sport than their age, they are overdoing it."

Both experts recommended incorporating weight training to help strengthen muscles.

Hopkins advised that the young athletes should collaborate with an experienced trainer to monitor their form and prevent injuries.

Barsi advised the athletes to gradually build up weight resistance and avoid ego lifting.

The AAP report provided clinicians with specific recommendations to promote healthy participation in athletics among families.

To ensure the athlete's safety and well-being, it is recommended that they undergo a pre-participation exam by their pediatrician before engaging in any sports activities. This will help in promoting skill development and avoiding overtraining and overscheduling.

To prevent burnout and injury, it is important to promote athletic autonomy, create positive experiences with coaches, parents, and peers, and keep workouts engaging by incorporating age-appropriate games and training.

If an athlete exhibits signs of overtraining or burnout, it is recommended to modify the contributing factors and seek advice from a mental health professional if necessary, according to the AAP.

Planet Chronicle Digital reached out to the AAP for additional comment.

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