Originally Posted by Anonymous
Originally Posted by Anonymous
Originally Posted by Anonymous
Originally Posted by Anonymous
Have seen a few studies and the opinion of most orthopedics docs is that single sport athletes are more prone to injury than multi sport athletes, for a couple basic reasons , overuse injuries and imbalance injuries as a result of building up more muscle etc. that is involved in your sport than muscle groups that may not be as involved.


I think in the younger grades maybe 8th and below it's great to play multiple sports. I don't know how, unless the kid is an off the meters freak athlete, a kid can develop and keep the skills needed to play multiple sports at a very high level. Football is the worst sport ever for severe injuries, that's just a fact.
Why is it that some of the coaches out there have this mentality that playing another sport makes you better at lacrosse? Do the basketball coaches at some colleges think by playing lacrosse you'll get better at basketball??? How about swimming, tennis, golf, soccer, cross country?? Do you become better at these sports by playing lacrosse? I don't think so. Top Basketball recruits play ball in season and AAU out of season. They don't play Lacrosse to get better. It is the most ridiculous notion that playing another sport is going to somehow endow you with more ability in another. Will it keep you in shape if you don't workout or train? sure. I think that's about it. If there was some measurable effect that made you better by playing another sport in the off season, surely college teams and even pro teams would have there athletes playing other sports. It's just the opposite, most high level college and pro teams what their players to refrain from playing other sports for fear of injury.


Did you not see the previous post. It answered your question. It said...

"Have seen a few studies and the opinion of most orthopedics docs is that single sport athletes are more prone to injury than multi sport athletes, for a couple basic reasons , overuse injuries and imbalance injuries as a result of building up more specific muscles etc. that is involved in your sport than muscle groups that may not be as involved."

I have read several studies that back up the notion of increased injuries in single sport athletes. I'm sure we would welcome some evidence to the contrary if you have any but I will take the word of orthopedic doctors who study sports injuries over yours...no offense.

Saw the post, just not the studies, what are they, and do they specifically address lacrosse, until then it is irrelevant.


I did see the post. The studies he refers to are over use in young children. Not fully developed 18 yo college bound young men. Look them up on the AAOS website. Also, look up an article in the WSJ from Hospital for Special Surgery that states a well rounded workout program in kids 10-12 and up a few times a week is the best way to prevent injury. Especially over use injuries. That's why I said from 8th grade down I believe there is benefit in playing multiple sports. As the athlete gets older, there is limited or no benefit. In fact, with a sport like football there is far more risk. Ask those same orthopedic surgeons how many football injuries they see.
Again, with regard to college bound athletes, when basketball, football and other colleges coaches start telling their recruits to play lacrosse in the off season, I'll start believing there's some benefit. Until then, it's a mentality that dates back to the football coach who also happens to coach lacrosse. No evidence to back up the notion that you'll somehow become a better lacrosse player. Prevention of over use injury in little kids? I agree.