Kids who excel at one type of competition are typically encouraged to spend more time developing skills specific to that sport. A study published in the Journal of Sport Sciences cautions coaches and parents against promoting athletic specialization at too young an age.
Researchers recruited 735 students between the ages of 6 and 12 years, and had them perform a battery of fitness tests. The oldest of these subjects, aged 10 to 12, who had been participating in more than one sport were stronger, faster and more agile than students in their age bracket who played just one team sport. What active adults can learn from these findings is the importance of diversifying your training. Doing the same things in the gym every day can hold you back from achieving your full potential.
