Role of Sports Specialization on Overtraining, Burnout and Mental Health Considerations

THIS PRESENTATION IS A REPLAY FROM NATA 2022 IN PHILADELPHIA, OFFERING A SECOND CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE THE EVENT'S VALUABLE CONTENT AND INSIGHTS.


Abstract:
Early sports specialization has been associated with an increased risk of overuse injury, however, less is known regarding the psychosocial and mental health considerations of sports specialization. This presentation will review the benefits of sports participation on psychological health, the impact of early sports specialization on overtraining, burnout, and mental health, and recommendations to reduce the risk of these outcomes. Strategies to screen for overtraining and burnout will be discussed with case examples to illustrate practical considerations.

Learning Objectives:

  • Summarize the benefits of sports on psychological health.
  • Explain the impact of early sports specialization on mental health conditions and burnout.
  • Employ strategies to screen for overtraining and burnout.
  • Develop sports participation pathways to mitigate overtraining and burnout.
  • Defend existing athlete development models that aim to mitigate overtraining risk.

Level:
Advanced

Domains:
Domain 1: Risk Reduction Wellness and Health Literacy
Domain 5: Health Care Administration and Professional Responsibility

CEUs:
1.0 Category A

Keywords: adolescent, overuse, athlete development model, mental health, sports specialization, 

Tamara Valovich McLeod, PhD, ATC, FNATA

Dr. Tamara Valovich McLeod is the Chair of the Department of Athletic Training, Professor of Athletic Training, Research Professor in the School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, and the John P. Wood, D.O., Endowed Chair for Sports Medicine at A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona. Dr. McLeod completed her doctor of philosophy degree in education with an emphasis in sports medicine from the University of Virginia. She was the founding director of the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network and her research has focused on the pediatric athlete with respect to sport-related concussion. Dr. McLeod was a contributing author for the NATA Position Statement on the Management of Sport-Related Concussion, the lead author on the NATA Position Statement on the Prevention of Pediatric Overuse Injuries, and a consultant and contributing author on the Appropriate Medical Coverage for Secondary School-Aged Athletes and the 2019 Appropriate Medical Care Standards. Dr. McLeod serves on numerous editorial boards, and publishes frequently in the athletic training and sports medicine journals and is a fellow of the NATA, the National Academy of Kinesiology, and the National Academies of Practice-Athletic Training.

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