Episode 17: Katie Filiatreau (Physical Therapist)

- The frequency in which Early Sports Specialization is happening these days is ALARMING! (Spoiler alert: It's NOT good for your kids' long-term future)

- Comparison: Using patient-first language vs. Using athlete-first language. Are we unintentionally putting pressure on our athletes when parents refer to themselves as "Soccer Moms" and "Baseball Dads?"

- The pressure to return to play as quickly as possible. But you only get 1 body, 2 knees, 2 shoulders... Long-term vs. Short-term

- TRUTH BOMB: Early specialization leads to higher risk of overuse injuries. Specialization does NOT equate to greater higher level success at the sport. Diversification is actually statistically better. 

- With the crazy schedules these young athletes are having to keep... Do they really even LOVE the sport anymore?

- Parents help teach kids what they love. Do they really love the sport that much, or is it just the only thing you've allowed them to be exposed to?

- A mind boggling story of the parents of an 8 year-old holding their child back (flawless academically) so he would be more developed in high school for his baseball "career."

- Which begs the question... Should we be making major life/academic choices based on athletics? Especially at a young age?

- It's a problem if the youth sports system makes you feel behind if you haven't already started playing for a travel team by the age of 12. 

- You can work harder than everyone else and the reality is... you still might not be as good as they are. And some of it comes down to... GENETICS!

- An increase in athletes presenting with chronic pain issues at dangerously young ages. 

- Shift from injuries due to just overuse to injuries due to central nervous system problems (cell phone use, mental health issues, lack of sleep, social relationships, etc.)

- Straight from the mouth of a Physical Therapist: YOUR CHILD NEEDS AT LEAST A 3 MONTH BREAK from their sport, and ideally 6 weeks consecutively. (They can play other sports in that time). 

- Beware of coaches, organizations, trainers, etc. who are telling you otherwise or who are telling you to specialize early. 

- Will medical advice be the tipping point to spark change? Or will it be kids or young adults who have just finished up their youth sports career saying, "We aren't going to do this anymore."

- Advice: Don't sacrifice your athlete's long term future for a short term pay off that may never even come...