Professionalization of Youth Sports Linked to Rising Burnout, Injuries and Dropouts

Parents and coaches are increasingly treating youth sports like the early stages of a professional pipeline, and research and reporting show that pressure, specialization and heavy workloads are contributing to burnout, overuse injuries and rising dropout rates. Many families recall a shift in early adolescence from fun and exercise to intensified competition, travel teams and single-sport focus.

Paula Gartin said her twins loved organized sports as children but by their mid-teens the demands and injuries had pushed them away; by 15 her son had stopped team sports and both are now focused on college academics. Studies cited in recent reporting underscore the problem: a 2024 American Academy of Pediatrics report links overuse injuries and overtraining to burnout and points to pressure from parents and coaches as risk factors.

Other academic work finds that a win-at-all-costs culture and intrusive parental behavior harm young athletes’ development. National data show participation slipping: the share of school-age children playing sports fell to 53.8 percent in 2022 from 58.4 percent in 2017, and up to 70 percent of young athletes drop out by age 13.

An Aspen Institute survey found 11.4 percent of parents believe their children can play professionally. Some former pros and community groups are trying to shift the culture.

Key Topics

Sports, United States, Youth Sports, Burnout, Coaches, Parents, Mental Health