WhereDidTheFunGoInSports

The number of youth and teens participating in sport continues to increase in the

United States

each year. While one would normally think that every youth experience in sport is positive, this is not always the case. With the increased emphasis on winning, becoming an elite athlete, and being the best, negative consequences can result from participation. There is much that needs to be done in the world of sports in order to continue the positive, growing experiences that come with participation that many of us had growing up.

Looking back to my childhood, I have tried to remember what athletics used to be. Emphasis was mainly on doing your best and having fun. Most of the children growing up with me participated in several different activities and sports. Sports were not considered the top priority in a young person’s life, school and family was number one. Not only did we participate on organized teams, but also most of the time we would go after school to play football, basketball, tag, baseball, and so many other free play activities. Participation on an athletic team was only part of what we did. It was not our whole life.

I have always thought that participation in sports allowed children to learn a lot of life’s lessons and to grow as a person. Athletics teaches a child the meaning of cooperation, teamwork, and sharing with others. It shows children what it means to work hard to accomplish their goals as well as the goals of their team. Sports assist in building self-esteem and confidence in youth. When children learn a new skill, they gain confidence to try other things in life. Ideally, sports can help teach children and teens right from wrong. But, this may not always be the case. This can be compromised with the introduction of a “win at all cost” mentality. Young children and adolescents are very impressionable, so it is the role of parents, coaches, and exercise physiologists to assist them in heading down the right path towards a healthy future. It is up to exercise physiologits, in particular, to become role models.

Recently, it has come to my attention that several problems will only continue to make things bad for children unless something is not done about them. The first is parents and coaches who place too much pressure on young people to be the best and that winning is the only thing important. Yelling from the sidelines, you hear these parents putting down their children. They actually criticize them for even the slightest mistake. They believe that they know what is best for their child, they believe their child is the best, and they are going to prove it. This is not always a healthy attitude for young children. Also, parents are beginning to push children into sports at a younger and younger age, not realizing chances are they will probably burn out before they enter high school. With increased pressure from parents and coaches, children begin resorting to unhealthy ways to accomplish their parents' goals and, of course, to please them.

One of the several ways they please their parents is to overtrain. Often, they begin training and specializing in one sport at a young age instead of being well rounded in all aspects of life. It is disturbing that children as early as age five are participating in high intensity training. It makes one wonder whether they are participating because they want to or if they are forced into the decision to participate. Gymnasts and figure skaters even move away from their families at a young age to train. Parents pay whatever they can to ensure one day their son or daughter will make the Olympics. While that is a great dream for many young people, it is not obtainable for most. Training at high intensities at very young ages can lead to overuse injury and burnout.

Another negative consequence to the drive for success is that many children may develop self-image and eating disorders. They must obtain the perfect body to do a triple axle or do back flips. Wrestlers starve themselves to maintain a dangerously low weight. Eating disorders are becoming an issue in children as young as 8 and 10 years old, and have negative health consequences for the rest of their life. Without being fully aware of it, parents and coaches contribute to these ideals of the perfect athlete. They push them to lose weight, or tell them they are not muscular enough to win, so the youth push harder to be that person.

Another avenue that has been increasing, even in youth sport, is the use of supplements to enhance athletic performance. Use of substances such as steroids, creatine, protein supplements, and vitamins are used by athletes to bulk up and artificially enhance their performance (assuming, of course, if they work). I feel that the use of these supplements is extremely dangerous. Most people are using supplements without good research and thinking about any consequences. Coaches, trainers, and sports nutritionists are telling athletes to use certain supplements without thinking about what may happen to that athlete down the line.

As more professional athletes admit to the use of steroids and other supplements, it sets a bad example for young athletes. They think if they take the same supplement they will be as bulky as their favorite athlete. They believe that they will be able to hit harder, run faster, and that the supplements will give them an edge over other athletes. Junior high and high school age athletes are taking such supplements in secret. Apparently, they are not thinking about the possibility of detrimental affects on a growing body.

Not only is the use of supplements for performance enhancement dangerous, but also it teaches our youth that it is okay to do what is takes to win at all costs. I believe the world of athletics should emphasize the natural abilities of a person, not artificially enhance performance. It is okay to be competitive. It is okay to want to do the best. It is not necessary, however, to poison yourself to accomplish that goal. We must remember that everyone has different strengths and abilities. We cannot expect to be the best at everything we do. By using supplements, it takes away from the integrity of sports and the hard work that others put in to advance in athletics who are not using supplements. I feel that the use of supplements is not acceptable. We must be aware of the negative impact of athletes who do use supplements.

You may be thinking, "What can we do as exercise physiologists?" The short answer is that we must speak up. Exercise physiologists can help young children by disagreeing with the use of supplements. We can set up youth activity and sport programs. We can pass on the benefits that have long been associated with athletics. We can be role models for healthy sport participation, and encourage youth to participate for fun again. We all know the major benefit of daily physical activity. By showing children they can have fun playing, we can decrease many of the problems that are on the increase in sports and athletics. We cane educate parents and coaches.

How about organizing a clinic designed to introduce sound training and nutrition practices? How about discussing why supplementation is wrong? We have the power to create change. It is important that we do now rather than later. In the future, the emphasis in sports must swing back the "having fun" once again. Sports should be fun for children, not a job.