There are many benefits for athletes participating in multiple sports, even beginning at an early age. Recruiters are looking at kids as early as grade school, and they prefer recruiting kids that are involved in multiple sports. Recruiters believe these athletes gain a competitive edge, and are more accessible to recruit.
Why Participate in Multiple Sports?
Athletes participating in multiple sports have shown many benefits including:
- Improved overall health and wellness
- Decreased injury rates
- Improved athletic performance
- Improved leadership skills and teamwork
- Better attendance in school and academic performance
Participating in multiple sports can reduce injury rates because these athletes use a variety of movements that can limit the occurrences of overuse injuries associated with one sport. This also gives athletes time to recover and develop different muscle groups and movement patterns, which can be carried over from one sport to the next. Skills that enhance hand-eye coordination, balance, endurance, explosion, communication, and agility, can also be applied from one sport to another.
Participation in multiple sports can improve overall athletic performance, strength and conditioning, which gives these athletes an advantage during competition.
Physical Therapy’s Role in an Athlete’s Career
At LSTC we have a sports performance program that was developed to help local athletes improve their game and avoid injuries. Our expert physical therapists work together with our athletic trainers, to create a plan of care that will help athletes strengthen and condition their bodies.
By Michael Herbert Jr, ATC
