Over recent decades, single-sport specialization has been promoted by coaches, encouraging athletes to commit to one sport as early as possible. Many young athletes now dedicate their time exclusively to one sport, practicing year-round. The prevailing idea is that increased exposure and practice in one area will lead to a higher skill level, potentially opening doors to scholarships and professional careers.
However, research indicates that focusing exclusively on one sport, regardless of age, may come at a significant cost, including an increased risk of overuse injuries, burnout, and even a plateau in performance due to the lack of diverse neuromuscular and motor skill adaptations (Bell et al., 2016; Jayanthi et al., 2015). Athletes who continuously engage in the same sport experience repeated stress on the same muscle groups, joints, and tendons, which increases the likelihood of overuse injuries. This repetitive training pattern can also lead to both physical and mental fatigue, often resulting in decreased motivation and enjoyment—a phenomenon closely linked with burnout.
A prime example of the benefits of multisport participation can be seen in Caitlin Clark, a talented college basketball player who also plays golf during her off-season. By engaging in golf, Clark not only gets a mental and physical break from the demands of basketball but also develops different motor skills, balance, and coordination. Golf provides a low-impact environment where she can maintain her athleticism without the intense physical stress that basketball places on her joints and muscles. This cross-training approach helps her return to basketball feeling refreshed, with a reduced risk of burnout or injury.
References
Bell, D. R., Post, E. G., Trigsted, S. M., Hetzel, S., McGuine, T. A., & Brooks, M. A. (2016). Prevalence of sport specialization in high school athletics: A 1-year observational study. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 44(6), 1469-1474.
Jayanthi, N. A., LaBella, C. R., Fischer, D., Pasulka, J., & Dugas, L. R. (2015). Sports- specialized intensive training and the risk of injury in young athletes: A clinical case-control study. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 43(4), 794-801.
