title: Organized sports for children and preadolescents.
abstract: Participation in organized sports provides an opportunity for young people to increase their physical activity and develop physical and social skills. However, when the demands and expectations of organized sports exceed the maturation and readiness of the participant, the positive aspects of participation can be negated. The nature of parental or adult involvement can also influence the degree to which participation in organized sports is a positive experience for preadolescents. This updates a previous policy statement on athletics for preadolescents and incorporates guidelines for sports participation for preschool children. Recommendations are offered on how pediatricians can help determine a child's readiness to participate, how risks can be minimized, and how child-oriented goals can be maximized.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Washington
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Bernhardt
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gomez
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Rowland
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Small
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: LeBlanc
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Krein
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Malina
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bolduc
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bar-Or
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Newland
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Taras
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Cimino
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: McGrath
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Yankus
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Glendon
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Harrison-Jones
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Newberry
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pattishall
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vernon
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wolfe
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D010819:Physician's Role; D012951:Socialization; D013177:Sports / Q000193:education* / Q000502:physiology*