Many of us are either athletes who participate in year round sports or we know a few athletes who do. With the opportunity there is to play year round sports, the debate arises if doing that is even beneficial to the student athlete. Playing year round sports harm youth athletes physically and mentally. 

Participating in year round sports causes an increase in burnout. According to the Center of Sports Leadership, “ Approximately 70% of youth athletes quit organized sports by the age of 13, driven by burnout.” 

Athletes who participate in year round sports get tired of the same thing every single practice, game or competition. When there is constant year-round pressure in premature sports specialization, this is physically exhausting for the athlete,  therefore emotionally tiring. 

Further, athletes who compete in a year round sport are at higher risk of injury. According to the National Institution of Health, “Athletes who participate in a single sport year-round are more than twice as likely to sustain an overuse injury compared to those who do not.” 

When an athlete repetitively uses  body parts, it is likely to increase risk of injury to that part of their body, or another part of the body trying to overcompensate. 

Finally, playing year round sports as a youth athlete hinders social development. By dedicating excessive time to one activity, athletes often miss out on the broader development of social milestones, hindering social development.56. 

According to PubMed Central, “ Sports specialization and increased training hours, may predispose athletes to social isolation.” 

When there is no time for the athlete to get in a new social environment, they will never meet new people, therefore social growth is hindered. 

As a youth athlete, playing year round sports is detrimental to risk of burnout, injury risk, and social development. Due to these crucial reasons, year round sports harm youth athletes.