Overuse Injuries Among Young Athletes

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A growing number of parents are becoming involved in their children's activities including sports. In addition to that, many young children and teenagers have coaches and advisors working with them to achieve success in individual sports.

Years ago most kids would play three or four sports and change them with the season. Now many children play one sport all year long with the hope or perhaps the parents' hope that the children will have success and even a scholarship to college.

But there are problems associated with this.

The biggest maybe overuse syndrome. When children and young adults play the same sport all year long and don't have an opportunity to cross train they can overuse the same muscles and joints. For instance a child who is a pitcher needs downtime. Throwing a baseball all year long can be very tough on the shoulder and elbow.

But that's not the only problem with playing a single sport. If you talk to many of these children they will tell you that sometimes it feels more like work than play. It's definitely something to think about and needs to be discussed between children and parents.

Reported By Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio Medical Editor