0% found this document useful (0 votes)
26 views10 pages

SP Research Paper

Uploaded by

api-723700231
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
26 views10 pages

SP Research Paper

Uploaded by

api-723700231
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 10

Powers 1010988

Game Changers

Like many things in life, there is a more advanced path. Youth sports are no different.

Most sports, if not all, offer a more competitive form of play. This can come in many forms.

Travel teams, club teams, or select teams are just a few examples of all organizations that have

different levels of competition.

When you wake up on a weekend morning to take your little child to their soccer game,

what does that look like? Is it sipping warm coffee, chatting with other parents while your child

runs around on some freshly cut grass where the focus for the kids is having fun and socializing?

Or is it waking up early, driving maybe further than you normally would to take your child to a

soccer game? You still get to drink your coffee, talk to your parents, and yell at the officiating,

but the focus may be less on fun socialization while being active, and more on playing at higher

levels of competition.

For me, it was the latter. Playing almost every sport growing up I eventually decided to

specialize in soccer. While I did not fully specialize because I still participated in other youth

sports, I joined competitive soccer. My goal in competitive youth soccer was to get better and

progress for the future. I also really enjoyed soccer, like many kids, so there was not any

sacrifice I had to make, just a few more practices and sprints.

The purpose of youth sports can be perceived differently to people's different

perspectives and different participation roles. For those participating in youth sports, their

objective can be many things. Players, parents, coaches, and referees all have their reasons for

participation, for the fun, the activity, to progress in their sports, or to offer support. Which leads

me to the question: What are the effects of competition in youth sports?

1
The effects of competition on youth sports can be a double-edged sword, as it may induce

positive and negative effects among participants. One effect competition has on youth sports is

an increase in burnout. Burnout happens when an athlete stops playing a sport that they

seemingly loved to play for a variety of reasons. One reason for dropping the sport due to

burnout is stress: “... a significant number are turned away by their experience in sport. Intense

training and pressure packed competitions, coupled with close adult supervision, can induce

considerable stress in young athletes (Rotella).” The constant stress involved with competing is

enough to cause a child to be discouraged from participating in this seemingly fun activity.

Another case of burnout is when youth specialize in a specific sport too early. To compare this to

food, it would be like eating a cheeseburger everyday for the rest of your life. Eventually eating

cheeseburgers would not be appealing. Specializing in a sport could have that same effect, “A

lack of enjoyment is a main reason for withdrawal in early stages of youth sport participation and

the structure of early specialized sport may be at odds with enhancing enjoyment necessary for

long-term involvement (Russell).” Furthermore, Russell's study shows the strong correlation of

withdrawal from youth sports due to a lack of enjoyment in the early stages of participation.

Russell suggests that the rigid structure of early specialized sports may clash with the cultivation

of enjoyment, a crucial factor for long-term engagement in sports. If a participant does not fall in

love with a sport out of enjoyment for the sport, the demands are enough to steer them away.

While competition can be enjoyed, it also elevates the risk of burnout, compromising the overall

well-being of young athletes.

Another way competition affects youth sports is the effect it has on character building.

Competitive environments within youth sports serve as grounds for building resilience and grit in

young athletes. English highlights in her article Rewarding Participation in Youth Sport: Beyond

2
Trophies for Winning that competitive youth sports provide invaluable opportunities for character

building, where the values of hard work and perseverance are established. She asserts that youth

sports serve as an essential teaching environment, where athletes learn the difficult truth that

even their best efforts may not always be enough. English emphasizes, "...youth athletics are a

valuable teaching ground for building character-a place for youngsters to learn the value of hard

work and often difficult truth that even their best efforts may not yield trophies or tangible

rewards.” In competitive sports participation trophies are not given out lightly and many teams

leave tournaments empty handed. These competitions in youth sports expose the children that

they need to be dedicated and hardworking to reach their goals and achievements. Similarly,

Russell's study references Ericsson et al. in that, “... expert performance was the product of

extensive deliberate practice rather than innate abilities.” The pursuit of excellence requires

athletes to have grit and determination vital for overcoming challenges. While specialization may

prioritize practice over enjoyment, it fosters resilience and determination essential for navigating

the demands of sports and life.

Competition within youth sports has the potential to reshape athletes' motivations,

sometimes shifting them from intrinsic to extrinsic factors. Intrinsic motivation is doing

something for the enjoyment of doing that action, while extrinsic motivation is participation in

an action for the reward (not the action); this can take a variety of forms. Russell's study

indicates that early specialization in a single sport may diminish intrinsic motivation, leading to a

greater focus on external rewards. Russell states, "... participation motivations may be

transformed from intrinsic into more extrinsic when youth specialize it was hypothesized that

young adults who specialized in one sport as youth would report lower intrinsic motivation and

higher extrinsic motivation for their youth sport participation." Additionally, Rotella’s model of

3
four components that may impact motivation are, stress, physiological responses, cognitive

appraisal and situation demands/ resources. Rotella states, “As shown in the model, each of the

four components can be affected by the personality and motivation of individual athletes.” The

model highlights the interplay between individual athletes' personalities and motivations,

showing how competitions may impact athletes' motivations and contribute to burnout. With

high level play it produces a high level of arousal or physiological responses for athletes due to

fast paced games and high expectations. High levels of arousal can increase stress created by

performance in competitions, these attribute to the plausible switch of motivation experienced in

young athletes competing. Consequently, the competitive nature of youth sports may

inadvertently switch participants' motivations away from the sport and onto the rewards or

benefits. This is not just trophies, this can also be interpreted as seeking praise and mastering

skills.

The competitive dynamics of youth sports significantly influence the normal

development of children, both positively and negatively. McEwin and Dickinson caution against

common sports practices, such as player selection, which may adversely affect the psychological

well-being of young adolescents. They note that practices like “cutting” players from teams can

foster feelings of rejection and inadequacy among those excluded. “Cutting” players is common

in competitive programs for many reasons, reducing numbers or players not at a high enough

skill level are just a few. Similarly, English suggests an alternative perspective, advocating for a

shift in mindset where opponents are seen as companions rather than adversaries. She asserts,

"Instead of seeing opponents as enemies, at worst, or facilitators, at best, athletes can see others

as companions in the test and even as friends" (English). By building a place of growth and

sportsmanship, the competitive arena becomes a nurturing ground for social integration and

4
emotional practice. While competition shapes character and fortitude, it must be balanced with

inclusivity and empathy to maintain the holistic development of young athletes.

Like everything else in life, sports cost money to participate. With competitive sports

there are more fees and costs for participants. Disparities in Youth Sports and Barriers to

Participation notes that:

According to a TD Ameritrade survey, 63% of parents will pay $1200 to $6000 per year

for sports participation, with nearly 1 in 5 paying more than $12,000 a year .

Furthermore, according to the Aspen Institute, whereas 43% of children in homes earning

more than $100,000 were able to play sports, only 22% of children in homes with

incomes less than $25,000 participated. This had led to increased inactivity levels

amongst those most at risk of developing long-term health conditions as adults. For

families who cannot afford the average $693 per sport per year to participate, limited

school-based options (particularly during COVID) has led to a lack of physical activity

opportunities due to fees, transportation challenges, and equipment costs (Pandya).

With these rates, the likelihood that a low income family will be able to afford the high

competitive sport fees is very low. Competition will affect the participation of youth because of

the increased costs associated with all the travel, coaches, tournaments, gear and more expenses.

This effect competition has on youth sports makes participation lower for families with low

incomes. John Solomon found that participation rates are much lower: “Youth ages 6-18 from

low-income homes quit sports because of the financial costs at six times the rate of kids from

high-income homes, according to a national survey of parents by the Aspen Institute’s Project

Play initiative and Utah State University’s Families in Sport Lab.” Competition affects the

participation rate for children of low income families. There are however opportunities to make

5
sports more affordable. Scholarships awarded to outstanding individuals can offer some financial

relief. There are not enough scholarships out there for all athletes, this still leads to some athletes

discontinuing the sport due to financials.

With the increased intensity and hours spent practicing it is not unreasonable for

participants to be faced with an increase in likelihood of injuries. Some sports are more prone to

injuries than others. Not just contact sports puts participants at risk of physical injuries, overuse

experienced by runners and swimmers also impact their performance; “Many of those injuries

are ‘overuse’ injuries caused by factors such as overtraining. The injuries are the result of

repetitive microtrauma (repeated small injuries)(McEwin).” The excessive and intensive training

found in competitive sports at a basic level increases risk of injuries that regular youth sports still

face, but are not as common or severe. Nick Inserrra has been around competitive swimming

since his childhood. Inserra swam on a competitive club and highschool team before he became

involved in coaching both a recreational summer swim team and a competitive varsity level high

school team. When interviewed about how he sees injuries to his swimmers both at the

recreational and competitive levels Inserra said that, “... It all comes down to the hours and

intensity of practices. Some varsity teams are practicing upwards of 15 to 20 hours a week,

whereas some more lenient, recreational teams might only practice 10 hours (a week).” The

amount of time spent training leaves proneness to injuries higher than at a level where training is

less demanding. Inserra believes that with the proper strength conditioning and recovery methods

it is possible to maintain your physical health and meet the training demands of your competitive

sport.

It is said that to master something takes 10,000 hours or repetitions of practice. Sports are

no different. Many professional athletes began specializing and participating in competitive

6
sports at a young age. Serena Williams, twenty three time tennis Grand Slam winner, for

example, according to the National Women's History Museum, “...began intensive tennis training

with her father and older sister around the age of three…In 1995, at the age of 14, Williams

made her professional debut at a qualifying event in Quebec City (Brandman).” Williams, like

many other successful athletes, began their journey to become great athletes very young. Their

participation in competitions at a young age gave them a competitive advantage that other

aspiring athletes did not have. Making it to the professional level is very challenging, according

to the NCAA, “More than 480,000 compete as NCAA athletes, and just a select few within each

sport move on to compete at the professional or Olympic level.(Estimated Probability of

Competing in College Athletics).” This shows how competitive the professional level is. There is

such a small chance that participants will make it to a divisional sport and then progress further

there after. Needless to say, competition has the effect on youth sports giving participants a future

advantage. This advantage has made it possible for some athletes to make it into professional

leagues, turning it into a profession and career.

The extensive research findings on the effects of competition in youth sports reveal a

multifaceted impact, presenting both positive and negative outcomes for participants. One

significant effect identified is the increase in burnout among young athletes. As highlighted by

Rotella, Hanson, and Coop, the intense pressure of competitions coupled with rigorous training

regimens can lead to considerable stress, ultimately resulting in athletes disengaging from sports

they once enjoyed. Additionally, Russell's study underscores the detrimental impact of early

specialization, where young athletes may lose interest in their sport due to a lack of enjoyment.

These findings emphasize the importance of balancing competition with the well-being of young

athletes to prevent burnout and promote long-term engagement.

7
On the flip side, competition plays a crucial role in building more character development

and resilience among youth athletes. English emphasizes the valuable life lessons learned

through competitive sports, such as the importance of hard work and perseverance even in the

face of adversity. Similarly, Russell's reference to Ericsson et al. highlights how deliberate

practice and specialization instill grit and determination, vital for navigating challenges both in

sports and life. While competition may prioritize excellence over enjoyment, it develops

essential qualities that contribute to personal growth and development both in and out of the

sport.

Research findings on the effects of competition in youth sports provide valuable insights

into the complex dynamics at play. By recognizing the potential benefits and drawbacks of

competition, stakeholders can work towards creating environments that prioritize the holistic

development and well-being of young athletes. This topic matters not only for personal growth

but also for fostering a positive and sustainable sports culture that benefits individuals and

society as a whole.

8
Works Cited

Brandman, Mariana. "Serena Williams." National Women's History Museum, 2022. Date

accessed 24 March, 2024.

English, Colleen. "Rewarding Participation in Youth Sport: Beyond Trophies for Winning.

(Premiando La Participación En El Deporte Para Jóvenes: Más Allá De Los Trofeos Por

Ganar)." Cultura, Ciencia Y Deporte, vol. 13, no. 38, 2018, pp. 109-18. Publicly

Available Content Database, https://doi.org/10.12800/ccd.v13i38.1066.

"Estimated Probability of Competing in College Athletics." NCAA.Org,

www.ncaa.org/sports/2015/3/2/estimated-probability-of-competing-in-college-athletics.as

px. Accessed 24 Mar. 2024.

Inserra, Nick personal interview with author: February 17, 2024

McEwin, C. Kenneth, and Thomas S. Dickinson. "Placing Young Adolescents at Risk in

Interscholastic Sports Programs." The Clearing House, vol. 69, no. 4, 1996, pp. 217-21.

JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/30189167. Accessed 23 Feb. 2024.

Pandya, Nirav Kiritkumar. "Disparities in Youth Sports and Barriers to Participation." Current

reviews in musculoskeletal medicine vol. 14,6 (2021): 441-446.

doi:10.1007/s12178-021-09716-5

Rotella, Robert J., et al. "Burnout in Youth Sports." The Elementary School Journal, vol. 91, no.

5, 1991, pp. 421-28. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/1001882. Accessed 29 Jan. 2024.

Russell, William D. "The Relationship between Youth Sport Specialization, Reasons for

Participation, and Youth Sport Participation Motivations: A Retrospective Study."

Journal of Sport Behavior, vol. 37, no. 3, 2014, pp. 286-305. eLibrary; ProQuest Central

Student,

9
www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/relationship-between-youth-sport-specialization/do

cview/1553181560/se-2?accountid=41498.

Solomon, Jon. "Survey: Low-Income Kids Are 6 Times More Likely to Quit Sports Due to

Costs." Project Play, Project Play, 30 June 2022,

projectplay.org/news/low-income-kids-are-6-times-more-likely-to-quit-sports-due-to-cost

s.

10

You might also like