A science-informed look at youth sports
Buel D. Rodgers, a muscle biology specialist, and his daughter Meilani, a national-level soccer and track athlete, offer complementary perspectives on youth sports. The guide connects the experience of competition with the physical and psychological development of children and adolescents, covering topics such as puberty, exercise physiology, injuries, rehabilitation claims, and the emotional demands of playing. It also considers the broader youth-sports environment, including its costs, coaching approaches, and league politics. Interviews with coaches Anson Dorrance and Geno Auriemma add discussion of strategies for parents and players. Together, these strands make the book both a guide to developing athletes and an examination of the systems surrounding their participation.
Good fit for readers who enjoy
- Parents and coaches seeking information about youth athlete development, injuries, and competition.
- Youth athletes interested in the physical and psychological dimensions of sport.
- Readers curious about the business and interpersonal structures around organized youth sports.
Themes
Youth athlete developmentSports science and injuryCompetition and psychologyCoaching and league cultureYouth sports economics
Based on publisher information and book metadata.
