Yorkshire Philosophical Society

Event Information

Navigating natural turbulence to protect youth athlete health

Dr Jamie Salter PhD | SFHEA | ASCC | BASES | CSci  

Senior Lecturer in Sports Science & Injury, York St John University

Abstract: This session will explore some of the naturally occurring developmental changes that young athletes must navigate to avoid injury and maintain a love for their chosen sport. The session will draw upon research from elite performance environments but outline how parents and coaches at all levels may support young athletes to manage this developmental journey, to minimise risk but ultimately foster a love for long-term physical activity beyond adolescence.

Doors open 7pm for a 7.30pm event start:

We are holding this free Cafe Scientifique session on Wednesday 19 February 2025 from 7pm, talk starting at 7.30pm, in the “Den”, Micklegate Social, 148-150 Micklegate.

Member’s report

Jamie Salter stressed the importance of sport during a child’s school years while noting that there is a 70% drop-out rate even before the age of 13. Nor does the willingness to continue sport after that age come without drawbacks. Children and young people face multiple obstacles, including part-time jobs and competing stake-holders – where promise is seen in various fields of activity – coupled with a 64% sport injury burden.

Jamie illustrated that in order to maximise the long term development of an athlete, he had been looking at three areas: Growth and Maturation, Early/Late Specialisation and Neuromuscular Training, that is, how well the individual body performs. He highlighted the variation in growth rates which could span a five year period from those developing earlier than the norm to the late developers and how this could affect choices made by both athlete and trainers. He suggested that young children should have the opportunity to try out many different activities before deciding which route to take, especially as early specialisation can lead to drop-out. For those who do go on to specialise, the training can be more consistent and structured but be more pressured and lead to social isolation.

Neuro-Muscular training should be aimed at nurturing nature, creating a stable and dependable environment in which the athlete could flourish, allowing for recovery time between training sessions, leading to a reduction in injuries and long-term benefits. A recent project has been the development of a maturity monitor app which can help identify the young person’s athletic potential and assist in making appropriate choices for his or her future development.

Dorothy Nott