Timing and Reasons Behind Single-Sport Specialization in Soccer: A Survey of 64 Major League Soccer Athletes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Single-sport specialization at the exclusion of other sports has become increasingly popular in youth sporting culture. The purpose of this study was to survey Major League Soccer (MLS) athletes to examine factors influencing the timing of single-sport specialization in soccer.

Hypothesis

The majority of surveyed athletes will have participated in multiple sports prior to specialization and specialized primarily as a result of a coach's recommendation, with no significant impact on specialization timing stemming from birth or high school location, obtaining a collegiate scholarship, MLS experience, or position.

Study design

Cross-sectional study.

Level of evidence

Level 4.

Methods

Anonymous surveys were distributed to 3 MLS organizations and c

SUBMITTER: Knapik DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7787568 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul/Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature