Youth Sports Research Paper

Youth sports are being questioned by the public as being too intense. One of the reasons for this is that sport specialization is up to a record high 25 percent(Sirs). This means that one in every four people are only playing one sport which can lead to injuries and psychological issues. Another issue is injuries in youth sports. Most specifically football is being researched intensely for head injuries that can hurt the children for the rest of their lives. Even though some believe that youth sport programs should be less intense they still believe that all sports are helping the youth grow up to be leaders for the next generation. Although many believe youth sports programs

It is true that participation in youth athletics has a number of benefits such as the building self-confidence and moral character but is it all worth the possibility of severe trauma to the body or even worse, the mind. Sports induced concussions alone have doubled for kids ages 8-13 in the past decade. In just 2012 alone, there were 3,800,000 reported. Other injuries that are common in young athletes are knee injuries and sprains. Dehydration is also a major concern. It has been shown that single sport athletes are prone to more injuries than multiple sport athletes. Actions need to be taken to lower these numbers, such as restrictions on the number of practices, the intensity at practice, and more information given to coaches, parents and athletes on how to prevent injuries. These restrictions should consist of limiting the number of pitches a pitcher may pitch in a single game, more sufficient screening being done before an athlete returns from a concussion or limitations on how tackles can be performed are a few examples.

Each year in the United States, more than 36 million school-aged children participate in an “organized sport” (“Youth Sports Statistics”). Especially over the past few years, many studies have proved or disproved the idea that sports are beneficial for young kids. Those studies have found that youth sports have both positive and negative effects on young children, and research shows parents and coaches have the greatest effect on a child’s experience.

“Sports teaches you character, it teaches you to play by the rules, it teaches you to know what it feels like to win and lose-it teaches you about life.”(Billie Jean King) Most students from first grade to twelfth grade say that sports are a big part of their life and make them who they were meant to be in a positive way. Some people might argue that students in sports or extracurricular activities have lower grades than the other students, but it's the opposite way around. Sports improve your performance in school because they strengthen your concentration ability and leadership traits.

Sports are a popular pastime among all ages and types of people. People not only participate in them for fun, but also for money, physical fitness, rush of competition, and for many other personal reasons. Playing sports is especially common among young people in schools. Athletics are great and enjoyable for many reasons, but there can be a point where sports participation can go too far and become negative for children and adults. Sports specialization for young people is an increasing trend that results in sports having a negative impact on individuals and society.

In the essay, “Children Need to Play, Not Compete” Jessica Statsky puts an argument on how competitive sports activities for children between the age of six and twelve can leave a negative impact on their well-being; both physically and psychologically. She mainly focuses on the damage that occurs due to the involvement in non-contact as well as contact sports, at every level from local to that organized nationally.

In the most recent decade, the controversy of youth sports has been a very important discussion for people in the United States. Sports are a popular pastime for young athletes, and there are approximately 45 million participants of youth sports in the US. However, just like most things, there are pros and cons to be considered of these activities.

I read this astounding statistic in an article about Athletes for Kids (AFK), an organization focused on helping kids with disabilities and special needs. For the first time in my life, I could relate to what it means to live with a disability. Mine was temporary, caused by a soccer-related ACL and meniscus tear and the ensuing surgery.

The National Youth Sports Program (NYSP) was created through the relationship of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in the late 1960s. NYSP intended to provided children ages 9-17 years from economically disadvantaged backgrounds with sports and educational instruction. This program was offered for 20 days over a period of four weeks during the summer, with free participation, as well as transportation to and to and from the program. Additionally, the program provided breakfast and lunch to the participants. In 2007, federal funding for NYSP was not appropriated, causing only thirty universities to provide the program in 2008. One of the universities that

Athletes are taught how to exercise properly and are usually required to do so regularly. This, experts say, is “particularly useful because they can keep young people from becoming obese and developing weight-related health problems.” One doctor in particular, Dr. R. Dawn Comstock of the Center for Injury Research and Policy, holds that “ We have an epidemic of obesity in this country, and sports is one of the best ways for kids to incorporate exercise in their lives”(High School Sports Injuries). High school sports encourage fitness and help to prevent health problems that occur due to obesity. The rate of childhood obesity is rising in American and athletics programs combat this “epidemic”, as it is referred to by Dr. Comstock. It cannot be argued that athletes don’t suffer injuries while participating in sports, however there is little proof that these activities offer a significantly higher risk of severe injury to students than everyday life, from walking down the street to playing in the backyard with your friends. Dr. Riley of Stanford University speaks of studies he researched before letting his own son participate on the high school football team. Dr. Riley states that these studies, done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, show that “the risk associated with a long NFL career is not insignificant but remains small.” That is, the risk of death from brain trauma is only 3% among NFL players, as opposed to 1% in the general population. While these numbers suggest an increase in danger, one must remember that this is among NFL players who are usually involved in other high-risk behaviors aside from football. Those participating in amateur sports competitions face far fewer dangers than the average NFL athlete, on or off the

Youth sports are a regular part of any parent's life, over time, the more talented kids emerge and are picked for travel teams or special training. Travel teams usually come with year long commitments forcing children to quit their other sports. Although when you think of a sport related injury you usually think of kids colliding, or falling and banging their head, although, more than 50% of sport related injuries are overuse injuries. Most overuse injuries occur when a young athlete focuses on one sport, playing it year round. This puts stress on the same muscle all year, instead of just for one season. An athlete that plays multiple sports exercises multiple muscles, giving other muscles a break. Without giving other muscles a break, the one muscle becomes tired and weak, and eventually snaps. Youth sports are a highlight of childhood, but the risk of injury has rapidly increased due to

Why shouldn't homeschooled children be able to play public school sports, what good is it actually doing? People have been debating about this because in some cases they have let children being homeschooled play public school sports but in other cases they don't allow them to play in the sports at a school. The parents think that it is unfair for some children to be able to play in public school sports but not other children. This has been going on since 1996 when a judge in New York denied access for a homeschooler to participate in public school sports. However, both sides seem to get the same amount of support. The people who say that they should be able to play in public school sports argue that they should be able to because they are like

It is a normal day, and you decide to go bike riding with your son. You hear wheezing all of the sudden, and the next thing you know, your son is crashing onto the cement unconscious. What happened to him? Is he okay? These are questions that you have to answer because you happen to have a blind spot in your knowledge when it comes to your family’s heart health. Unfortunately, you are not the only one who has heart disease in your family and isn’t knowledgeable on the subject. Education about one’s heart health, such as blood tests for HCM, an appropriate diet, and exercise, are able to help save thousands of lives of everyday high school athletes.

Youth sports in America has become a trend that has touched every household. Sports has become so ingrained in American culture, that toddlers have even begun to experience it. Almost all children from the ages of six to ten have kicked a soccer ball or hit a ball with a bat. While studies have shown that youth team sports have a tremendous positive impact on a child’s social development, many children have run into serious injuries. Some of these injuries can require extensive surgeries, rehabilitation, and could cause developmental problems in these young children. Many of these injuries stem from overuse and children not being developmentally ready for the intensity of a certain sport. In today’s competitive sports culture, children are more at risk for serious physical injuries and psychological consequences than children twenty years ago.

Part of American culture dwells on sports. It’s hard not to think of America without considering of football or baseball. Athletics are a dominant aspect in high school, with a substantial amount of teens playing high school sports. They are a fundamental for countless youth around the nation. Team high school sports are valuable to growth, since they provide an opportunity to create friends, and encourage sportsmanship. Nevertheless, some would say they create an overemphasis on winning. However, this is only in the minds of coaches and parents. By winning, teens learn how to be a good sport and be humble in victory, and if they lose, how to cope with defeat.