The growing child in sport.
An increasing number of children undergo intensive training routines and high level competition from an early age. Although physical training may foster health benefits, many are injured as a result of it. Carefully controlled studies on the effects of training routines from childhood are however lacking. This paper reviews some of the effects of training in young athletes, focusing on physical, cardiovascular and muscular effects, and sports injuries. Psychological effects of intensive sports participation are briefly considered. Measures should be taken to modify the present structure of competitive sport to avoid the possible deleterious effects of intensive physical activity on children.
Maffulli
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Department of Orthopaedics, Newham General Hospital, Plaistow, London, UK.
D000293:Adolescent; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*