Are Young Athletes Really Training Too Much?

When discussing youth sports, a common misconception persists: young athletes, particularly in team sports like football, hockey, or basketball, are thought to already train too much. However, a comparative analysis with other disciplines such as swimming or gymnastics shows that this perception is often exaggerated.

Comparing Training Hours

In demanding sports like swimming or gymnastics, young athletes can train up to 20 to 25 hours per week, including early morning sessions before school and intensive technical training. For instance, an elite swimmer frequently spends up to 4 hours a day between swimming and physical preparation. In gymnastics, training hours are equally intense to meet the standards required in competition.

In comparison, team sports practiced in Switzerland, such as football, hockey, or basketball, generally require 6 to 12 hours of training per week, including physical preparation and games. These figures are significantly lower than in individual sports:

• Football: 3 to 4 training sessions of 1.5 hours each, plus one game per week.
• Hockey: 3 to 5 sessions of 1 to 1.5 hours on ice, sometimes combined with physical training.
• Basketball: 2 to 4 sessions of 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the level.

The Impact of Matches and Contact

Of course, the nature of team sports must also be considered. Intense matches with frequent physical contact (especially in hockey or football) increase the physical and mental load. However, these demands cannot be directly compared to those of sports like swimming or gymnastics, where there is no contact but the repetition of specific movements remains intense. The overall load depends as much on the volume as on the type of effort, emphasizing the importance of individualized load management.

Gradual and Well-Planned Adaptation

The human body, especially that of young athletes, can adapt to higher training volumes if the progression is thoughtful and personalized. The issue is not the amount of training but rather poor management of load and volume.

With programming that includes recovery phases, controlled intensity, and gradual adaptation, it is entirely possible to increase training hours without risk. This also allows for the integration of specific sessions, such as skill training, to refine technical aspects of the sport. Regular communication between coaches, athletes, and parents ensures that young athletes remain healthy and motivated throughout their development.

Conclusion

The idea that young athletes in team sports train too much is a myth. Compared to disciplines like swimming or gymnastics, their training volumes are significantly lower. With proper guidance, they can handle additional workloads, which can even promote faster progress. Rather than limiting training hours, the focus should be on structuring sessions effectively, while considering the specific demands of matches and the physical contact inherent to their sport. Intelligent and individualized load management allows athletes to achieve their full potential without compromising their health or performance.