Young people and sports

A leading group of American doctors is warning against forcing young people to become
skilled in a single sport. It says young people who play just one sport face additional
physical or other demands from intense training and competition. It says children involved
in sports should be urged to take part in different activities and develop many skills.

The doctors note that more and more children are skilled in one sport at an early age.
There are many media reports of young competitors in sports such as gymnastics, figure
skating and tennis.

Some of the most famous athletes first became active in a sport when they were five years
old. A few started even earlier. The committee noted that the successes of young athletes
can be a powerful influence for others to follow. It says children wishing to compete at a
high level require training that could be considered extreme even for adults. It says the
necessary desire and intensity of training raise many concerns about the safety of high-
level athletic activity for any young person.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says the health effects of intense training in young
athletes need to be fully investigated. Risks to young athletes include injuries, delayed
menstruation, eating disorders and emotional stress.

The committee of doctors offered some suggestions. It urged children to become involved
in sports at levels that meet their abilities and interests. It said doctors should work with
parents to make sure that someone knowledgeable is training the child athlete. That
person should know correct methods of training, equipment and the physical and
emotional health of young competitors.

The group said doctors should supervise the condition of child athletes involved in intense
training. It said doctors and trainers should work to prevent injuries that result from too
much physical activity. Doctors should make sure the children eat a healthy, balanced diet.
And doctors should watch for signs of too much training, including weight loss and sleep
problems.

Decide if the following sentences about the article are True or False.
1. A leading group of American doctors say young people who play just one sport face
additional physical or other demands from soft training and competition.              ["", ""]         
[ Seleccionar ]

2. The doctors observe that more and more children are skilled in one sport when they are
 [ Seleccionar ]
very young.              ["", ""]           
3. Children who want to compete at a high level need an extreme training similar to the
[ Seleccionar ]
one for adults.              ["", ""]           
4. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is not necessary to investigate the
health effects of intense training in young athletes.              ["", ""]         
[ Seleccionar ]

5. The person who is training the kid athletes doesn’t need to know right methods of
training, equipment and the physical and emotional health of those competitors.              ["",
[ Seleccionar ]
""]           
6. Doctors should control the condition of very young athletes involved in intense training
[ Seleccionar ]
and too much physical activity.              ["", ""]           
7. Young athletes are responsible for paying attention to their weight loss and sleep
[ Seleccionar ]
problems.              ["", ""]