A new UW study suggests female youth soccer players who give up other sports may feel more stressed and less rested. The study presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference this month was conducted by researchers at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and public health. The study’s lead author, Dr. Drew Watson, says sports specialization was associated with significantly worse mood, stress, fatigue, soreness and sleep quality among female youth soccer players. The study was conducted in Wisconsin and involved 49 female youth soccer players between ages 12 and 18. Dr. Watson says previous research suggests early sport specialization may influence whether athletes will be injured or drop out of a sport, but the underlying causes are unclear. Dr. Watson made the comments in an interview on AM 1170’s Between the Lines program.
