Pediatria pre prax 6/2013

Biopsychosocial risks of top-level sport in children and youth

A review study aimed at the risks of high physical activity (PA) in children and youth. Characteristics of inappropriate PA in children in terms of its quantity, intensity, and type are outlined. Psychosocial variables leading to a common primary risk factor of early sport specialization (unilaterally focused intensive training aimed at achieving peak performance) are emphasized. The most commonly occurring health complications in biological (hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, muscle imbalance, microtraumas, chronic injury to the locomotor apparatus, osteochondrosis) and psychosocial (eating disorders, impaired self-concept and motivation, burn-out syndrome, early sport career termination, disordered relationships and social development, abuse and maltreatment) areas are described. Scientific arguments opposing early sport specialization as an ineffective method of achieving peak sport performance are presented.

Keywords: physical activity, sports training, early sport specialization, biopsychosocial risks.