Youth sports have never been more competitive—or more demanding. Kids are starting younger, practicing longer, and in many cases, playing year-round with little downtime. While the benefits of sports are undeniable—confidence, discipline, teamwork—the rise in overuse injuries, strains, and preventable setbacks is something parents can’t afford to ignore.

In fact, according to the CDC, more than 3.5 million kids under age 14 receive medical treatment for sports injuries each year. And many of these injuries could be avoided with a smarter approach to training and recovery.