Integrating Strength and Conditioning for Specialised Young Athletes

The trend towards favouring a single sport is becoming increasingly common, with many youth athletes focusing on one sport at a young age in the hopes of achieving athletic success. However, contemporary research suggests that sport specialisation may have negative consequences for young athletes, particularly with respect to increased risk of overuse injury, burnout, and reduced motor skill development. Notwithstanding the preference to avoid sport specialisation, this chapter will (i) evaluate the potential positives and negatives for youth who choose to specialise, (ii) highlight evidence-informed recommendations for young athletes, and (iii) explore how strength and conditioning can be integrated into the programmes of specialising athletes.