Sport Specialization and Increased Injury Frequency in Youth Baseball Players: A Prospective Study.

doi:10.4085/1062-6050-349-18

Paper

Sport Specialization and Increased Injury Frequency in Youth Baseball Players: A Prospective Study.

Published Oct 1, 2019 · A. Arnold, C. Thigpen, P. Beattie

Journal of athletic training

Q1 SJR score

20

Citations

2

Influential Citations

Full textSemantic Scholar

Abstract

CONTEXT Sport specialization is thought to be a primary contributor to the throwing-related injury risk in youth baseball players. OBJECTIVE To (1) establish arm-injury incidence in a cohort of male youth (9-12 years old) baseball players and (2) examine sport specialization and the frequency of arm injuries in the same cohort. DESIGN Cohort study. SETTING Greenville, South Carolina, youth baseball programs and tournaments. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS A total of 159 asymptomatic youth baseball players (age = 11.1 ± 1.1 years) were physically assessed and then were prospectively followed for 6.7 ± 1.5 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Athlete demographics and playing and injury histories were initially recorded. Athlete-exposures and presence of arm injury were prospectively tracked. All injuries were physically confirmed by a licensed physical therapist. RESULTS Youth players demonstrated an arm-injury incidence rate of 2.22 per 1000 athlete-exposures. Parents and players underestimated sport-specialization status based on the standard research definition (self versus research based: 31% versus 83%, respectively; P = .001). The frequency of arm injuries was higher in specialized players (100%) than in nonspecialized players (80%, P = .03) but did not differ between pitchers and position players (13.2% each, P = 1.00). CONCLUSIONS Sport specialization was associated with throwing-related arm injuries in a small cohort of youth baseball players. It is concerning that 57.9% of parents and specialized players were unaware of the athletes' status. Larger studies with longer follow-up periods are needed to further evaluate injury-risk profiles in physically developing youth populations.

Observational Study

Study Snapshot

Sport specialization in youth baseball players is associated with increased throwing-related arm injuries, but 57.9% of parents and specialized players were unaware of their status.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

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Sport Specialization and Increased Injury Frequency in Youth Baseball Players: A Prospective Study.

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References

Sport Specialization and Risk of Overuse Injuries: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis

Sport specialization is associated with an increased risk of overuse musculoskeletal injuries.

Parents' Awareness and Perceptions of Sport Specialization and Injury Prevention Recommendations.

Parents are unaware of sport volume recommendations for youth athletes, but are concerned about injury risk and consider sport specialization a problem.

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Athletes with moderate or high sport specialization are more likely to sustain lower extremity injuries than those with low specialization.

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Non-time-loss injuries account for a higher proportion of sports injuries in high school student-athletes compared to collegiate student-athletes.

Sports injury and illness epidemiology during the 2014 Youth Olympic Games: United States Olympic Team Surveillance

The 2014 Youth Olympic Games saw higher rates of injury, illness, and medical encounters per athlete compared to previous reports.

Citations

Injury Risk Factors Related to Sport Specialization in High School Basketball: A Prospective Study.

Specialization in high school basketball may increase injury risk, particularly for players who play year-round or participate in skills camps.

Trends in Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries and Surgery From 2010 to 2019: An Analysis of a National Medical Claims Database

Males aged 20-24 are most likely to undergo UCL surgery, highlighting the need for ongoing injury prevention strategies for younger athletes.

The Difference Between Throwing and Practice Volumes in Youth Softball Athletes With and Without Upper Extremity Pain

Youth softball athletes with upper extremity pain have more throws during in-season games and increased off-season practice hours compared to those without pain.

Examining Changes in Shoulder Strength, Lower Body Power, and Body Composition among Collegiate Baseball Players after Completion of a Summer Baseball League Season

During a baseball season, throwing arm shoulder strength may decrease by 9.03%, while non-throwing arm strength shows minimal changes.

A Baseball Injury and Performance Initiative to Combat Health Risks Associated With Early Sport Specialization

The Baseball Injury and Performance Initiative 10 (BIPI 10) is an evidence-based training program designed to prevent injuries and maximize performance in baseball players, offering high compliance and global reach.

Youth Sport Specialization and Risk of Injury: A General Review

Specialized youth athletes are more susceptible to injury, but future research is needed to determine the inherent risk associated with specialization.

Early Sport Specialization and Long-term Throwing Arm Health in College Baseball Players

Early baseball specialization as a youth baseball player may not impact throwing arm health in college baseball players.

Psychosocial aspects of sports medicine in pediatric athletes: Current concepts in the 21st century.

Pediatric athletes face challenges in organized sports, and clinicians and society should protect them from negative consequences while promoting positive experiences and preventing doping.