OVERUSE SYNDROME IN THE PEDIATRIC POPULATION

Abstract

Overuse syndrome includes injuries caused by the impact of repeated physical activity (up to the level of sub-maximal load) on the bone-muscular system, when recovery is not adequate because it does not result in structural and functional adaptations. Potential triggers for the occurrence of overuse syndrome include increased loading during training without adequate recovery, training monotony and excessive number of competitions. Common manifestations in young athlete include chronic pain in the muscles or joints, discrete personality changes, elevated resting heart rate, lack of enthusiasm for training or competition, and frequent difficulties to successfully complete normal physical activity. When consulting with trainers and parents, one should start from the fact that there are no scientifically approved guidelines that would define how much physical activity is healthy and helpful to young athlete compared to what could lead them to the risk of developing an overuse syndrome or a burnout syndrome. Most of the world's professional associations recommend limiting one sport activity to a maximum of five days a week, with at least one day off from any organized activity. Nowadays, it seems that the most sports programs for children are focused on the development of sport-specific skills, rather than the development of basic fitness components such as strength, endurance, agility, balance and coordination. Leading professional associations suggest that it should not encourage sports specialization before adolescence. Therefore, participation in physical activity should not be based on a single sport, but rather that it develops from a variety of sports activities, involving fundamental skills of movement (running, jumping, turning, hop and skip), and conditioning preparations that improve both health and components related to physical fitness.