Abstract
Adolescence is an intense period of change in physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning. Understanding these changes can help to improve interactions between young athletes and their coaches, parents, and peers while maximizing their athletic success. Different stages of development require different considerations to enhance both physical and mental health. Effective athletic programs should work with adolescents to accommodate different stages of development, allowing each individual to progress to his or her full potential while avoiding physical or emotional injury. This chapter focuses on how developmental changes influence young athletes, their interactions with others, and their participation in sports during adolescence. Physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development are each addressed separately, with descriptions of common trends observed in most adolescents as well as specific considerations for coaches. The final section addresses the role of parents in supporting their adolescents both as emerging adults and as developing athletes.
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Strandjord, S.E., Rome, E.S. (2016). Growth and Development in the Young Athlete. In: Colvin, A., Gladstone, J. (eds) The Young Tennis Player. Contemporary Pediatric and Adolescent Sports Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27559-8_2
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