EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — As preseason practices ramp up and student-athletes prepare for another fall sports season, parents are busy making sure their children have everything they need—from physicals and equipment to transportation and schedules.

But there’s one thing many young athletes may need even more: rest.

According to  Joseph O. Ehiorobo, MD, a fellowship-trained orthopedic sports medicine surgeon at University Orthopedics, today’s culture of year-round sports has led to an increase in overuse injuries among children and teenagers.

“We’re in a time where everything is so hyper-specialized,” Dr. Ehiorobo says. “You’re a hockey player, so you only play hockey. You’re a basketball player, so you only play basketball.”

While that approach may seem like the fastest path to improving skills, it can come at a cost.

Growing Bodies Need Time to Recover

Unlike adults, children and adolescents are still developing physically. Their bones, muscles, tendons and growth plates all need adequate time to recover between seasons.

Without that recovery, repetitive stress from playing the same sport throughout the year can lead to injuries affecting the hips, knees, back and groin.

“You’re just doing the same sport year-round and constantly, and you’re not allowing your body to recover,” Dr. Ehiorobo explains.

Overuse injuries have become increasingly common as more young athletes specialize in a single sport at an earlier age.

Playing More Than One Sport Can Be Beneficial

Parents sometimes worry that taking time away from a primary sport will put their child behind teammates or competitors.

Dr. Ehiorobo sees it differently.

Rather than losing valuable development, young athletes may actually gain something just as important: healthy physical and mental recovery.

Participating in different sports throughout the year allows athletes to develop a wider range of movement patterns, reduce repetitive stress on the same joints and muscles, and enjoy a healthier balance between competition and recreation.

Don’t Overlook Mental Burnout

The physical effects of year-round sports aren’t the only concern.

Dr. Ehiorobo says he’s also seen many young athletes become mentally exhausted after years of constant competition without a break.

“I’ve seen a lot of kids whose parents push them to play one sport year-round, and before they hit high school—or before they’re out of high school—they’ve just burned out mentally from that sport.”

Burnout can reduce motivation, enjoyment and long-term participation in athletics, even among talented young players.

As Fall Sports Begin, Remember That Recovery Is Part of Training

With football, soccer, field hockey, volleyball, cross country and other fall sports about to begin, families naturally focus on preparing for the season ahead.

Dr. Ehiorobo encourages parents to remember that recovery is just as important as practice.

“The biggest advice I could give parents is to let their kids rest—especially during the summer,” he says. “Give them the opportunity to rest mentally. Give them the opportunity to rest physically. That will prolong their career in the long run.”

For young athletes, success isn’t simply about spending more hours on the field. Building in time for recovery may be one of the best ways to stay healthy, continue improving, and enjoy sports for years to come.