Participating in sports has many benefits for kids – from physical fitness, to learning life lessons of teamwork and perseverance. But there’s increasing pressure for kids to specialize in sports at younger and younger ages – as many parents hope for college scholarships. New evidence shows that early specialization increases the risk of injury, and now a number of leading pediatric medical groups are advising against it (with some exceptions). We’ll discuss this trend in youth sports, plus new information about concussions and kids.
Guests: Timothy A. McGuine, PhD, ATC, Distinguished Scientist, Sports Medicine Program - Dept. of Orthopedics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Michele LaBotz, MD, Sports Medicine Physician at InterMed. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness and serves on the board for the AAP’s Maine Chapter. She also serves on the Strategic Health Initiative Committee on Youth Sports and Health for the American College of Sports Medicine.