Stop Pushing Your Kids

f you're like many parents, you may encourage your children to "specialize" in one sport so that they'll become proficient at it. But intense training and competition make heavy demands on "elite" athletes in ways that can damage their health, their growing bodies and their emotional development.

While there's no hard-and-fast evidence of how such a training regimen would affect your children, experts do offer common sense recommendations. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that sports are healthiest for children who participate at their level of ability and interest. Most important is that sports be safe and healthy for your children.

Whether your children are elite athletes or just play for the fun of it, follow these guidelines to make sure they stay safe while participating in sports.

Choose a coach who understands proper training techniques and how training affects young competitors.

Make sure your kids consume adequate fluid and don't spend too much time in hot, humid conditions. They're more prone to heat stress than adults. Be sure you and their coaches know the signs of heat injury and what to do if it should occur.

See that your children eat an adequate, balanced diet that includes iron and calcium.

Make sure your children's pediatrician and coach monitor them for signs of overuse injury.

Ask your pediatrician to be alert for evidence of emotional stress (it can play out as eating disorders or sleep disturbances, for example), heart problems, training effects on sexual maturation and body composition.