Risks of Early Sports Specialization

Starting an early sports specialization be a risky initiative in the longer run. Parents think that it would help them be good player but it’s not like that at all. Numerous specialists agree that some degree of sports specialization is necessary to reach professional levels, there is some debate as to whether such intense practice time must begin during early childhood. There is a concern that sports specialization before puberty may be pernicious to a budding athlete. For example, a child who starts his soccer training at an early age may not succeed as a professional athlete later but the one who plays multiple sports will surely become a good player.

Why avoid single-sport specialization at an early age?

The reason for not starting a single sport specialization is because every single sport has its own body muscle movement. So, if the child is playing only badminton, his front/shoulder muscles will become incredibly strong, whereas, his other muscle will become weaker. This imbalance between active muscle and inactive muscle is the reason for causing injuries.

For example, in badminton, all the front muscles are inactivity while the back muscles become weak. This is the reason a professional badminton player who plays badminton for at least 2 hours every day has a slouched body.

Important aspects to succeed in sports

• Flexibility
• Speed
• Strength
• Endurance

Above are the qualities that the child should try to gain at an early age. Because such qualities can only be achieved at an early age, and this is possible by doing multi-sports or a sport that includes all body muscle movement.

How and when to make your child start do sports

At an early age, i.e., between 2-6 years, the child should be encouraged to play different sports so that they are strong, flexible and powerful. Traditional gymnastics is a good idea to start at this age. Parents must make sure that the child is playing with a group and not alone. Also, do not allow kids to choose a sport like chess, shooting “only”. Pick multiple sports so that kids develop their muscle and do not have an imbalance with muscle, flexibility, power or speed.

The right time to start specialization in a sport

The right time to start specializing your kid in a sport is when they reach puberty. Till the child reaches puberty, he/she should avoid specializing in a single sport.

Sports recommended at an early age

1. Track and field: It helps in developing the speed. Rigorous practice can create better brain activity by generating new nerve cells and blood vessels.
2. Gymnastics: This helps in making the body flexible and also you can gain good muscle control, balance, coordination and movement understanding of the body.
3. Any team sport: A team sport helps you to learn how to work with a team. Furthermore, no one can beat or succeed in isolation.

Sports during COVID-19

At Go Alpha, we believe that every child should be physically fit and strong. With everyone confined to their homes to stay safe, many are worried about the physical well-being of their children.

Every parent understands that until a vaccine is made and distributed to the masses, schools can’t return to their pre-COVID-19 status. It is time to live with the utmost precautions. During COVID situations, parents should try to make their child play at the nearby garden/ground with all the necessary precautions and managing personal hygiene. At home, children can do yoga or some basic exercises like jump, sprints, pushups, sit-ups, etc.

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