Early Sport Specialization May Not Be the Injury Villain It Seems

A structured narrative review published in Frontiers in Sports and Active Living argues that the long-standing warning about early sport specialization may not be a standalone “injury villain.” Researchers Ethan Choi and Cynthia van Golen reviewed evidence published mainly from January 2015 to May 2025, using a structured PubMed/MEDLINE search that returned 213 records. Their main takeaway is that specialization often appears alongside other risk-related factors—such as higher training volume, year-round participation, repetitive loading, and reduced recovery. When studies adjust for these correlated exposures, the link attributed to specialization alone can shrink substantially. The authors also note specialization isn’t defined consistently, with different studies using varying criteria and ages. They suggest viewing specialization as an exposure “phenotype,” since different specialized roles may involve different mechanical demands.