Pediatric Athlete Development and Appropriate Sports Training

Regardless of the level of activity, above or below the current recommendations, youth can sustain acute and chronic sports injuries. As these injuries can lead to attrition from sports and to the consequences of physical inactivity and overweight/obesity, we need to advocate for appropriate youth physical activity programming that is designed to support the child’s development, physically, psychologically, and mentally. Successful youth physical activity development will be evident with a sustained progression to continued, healthy physical activity in adulthood.