Teen athletes: many kids dream of playing in the big leagues. But at what cost?

Becoming a famous athlete may look easy, but it's not. Just ask an Olympic gold medalist or a pro soccer player. They will tell you that playing sports well means hard work and discipline.

"I've made a lot of sacrifices," gymnast Carly Patterson told JS.

Last summer, the 16-year-old won Olympic gold in the all-around competition, her sport's premier event. Despite achieving Olympic glory, Carly is actually jealous of her 14-year-old sister's "regular" life. "[Jordan] goes to public school, has sleepovers with friends, and eats junk food," says Carly. "I can't do that because I need to rest and eat healthy."

Freddy Adu, who plays forward for the D.C. United soccer team, knows firsthand what Carly is talking about. "I love playing, but I work very hard at soccer," the 15-year-old told JS. "I hear fans cheer for me, and it definitely makes me train harder. It's not easy to live up to [those expectations]."

And yet, Freddy also has to work hard at avoiding the hype (publicity) that surrounds him. "I try not to think [too much] about what people expect from me," he says. "I want to focus on having fun and being the best that I can be. That's all I can do."

Very few teen athletes ever become as successful as Carly and Freddy. It takes too much hard work and sacrifice. "Sports can be a wonderful source for learning," says Jay Coakley, a sociologist (social scientist) who studies sports. "But if it starts to limit a child's relationships and experiences, then that could present problems in the future." Such difficulties, Coakley adds, range from loneliness to serious injury to drug or alcohol abuse.

Not Fun Anymore

Almost everyone agrees that athletics are good for most kids. Several studies show that playing sports can lead to better physical and emotional health. Through athletics, children learn important lessons in sportsmanship, discipline, teamwork, and leadership.

But critics worry that those benefits are getting lost in the chase to become the next star. Too many kids are either pushing--or being pushed by coaches and parents--to reach the top of their sport.

"Many kids who quit sports typically say, 'It's not fun anymore,'" says Avery Faigenbaum, a professor of exercise science and physical education at the College of New Jersey. "They would rather play on a losing team than sit on the bench of a winning team."

Playing It Safe

Another danger from too much athletics is the risk of serious physical injury. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that from 1997 to 1999, sports injuries were more common nationwide than injuries resulting from traffic accidents. Kids ages 5 to 14 had the highest injury rate of all groups.

"Playing sports breaks down a person's body," says Coakley. "If you're doing nothing but sports 12 months a year, the [overtraining] will harm a teenager's body, which is still physically developing."

Fitness experts offer the following tips to keep athletics safe and fun:

* Stay away from the "no pain, no gain" attitude. Pain is the body's warning of strain or injury.

* Treat teammates and competitors with respect. Winning and outperforming others is one part of sports, but not the ultimate goal.

* Be creative and willing to try new sports or activities. You never know what other interests you might develop.

Life Beyond Sports

Upon retirement, many professional athletes seek new challenges. Today, there is even a Baseball Hall of Famer on Capitol Hill--Kentucky Senator Jim Bunning. Other athletes have become judges, lawyers, business leaders, and teachers.

"It's important to have multiple dreams," says Coakley. "Dream of a life that is outside of sports, too."

That advice weighs heavily on Carly Patterson. "I want to go to college, and maybe become a singer," she says. "I'm going to keep on working and see what happens."

Your Turn

THINK ABOUT IT

Is there too much emphasis placed on organized sports? Explain your opinion.

* OBJECTIVE

Students should understand

* Many kids benefit from playing sports, but very few reach the elite level of athletic competition.

* TEACHING STRATEGY

Ask students: "Do you have dreams of becoming a professional athlete or of competing in the Olympics?"

* BACKGROUND

Last year, Freddy Adu signed a four-year contract to play soccer for D.C. United. His salary is about $500,000 per season. He has also signed several product endorsement deals that total more than $1 million. Since the 2004 Summer Olympics, Carly Patterson has posed for the cover of a Wheaties cereal box and been offered several lucrative endorsement requests.

* CRITICAL THINKING

COMPREHENSION: Why is gold medalist Carly Patterson jealous of her younger sister's "regular life"? (Carly envies Jordan's life in public school, ability to socialize with friends, and relaxed diet. Carly cannot pursue such a lifestyle because of her extreme commitment to physical fitness and athletic competition.)

CAUSE AND EFFECT: How are teenagers affected by playing sports? (Teen athletes learn lessons in sportsmanship, discipline, and leadership. They also benefit from improved personal health. But if a teenager solely focuses on winning and outperforming others, then he or she might eventually lose interest in sports, suffer serious injury, or experience a limited personal development.)

* ACTIVITY

WHY ATHLETICS?: Students should interview classmates who play sports. Interviews should explore why a person chooses to play sports and how he or she benefits from athletic competition. Students can express their findings in a written or oral report.

STANDARDS

SOCIAL STUDIES, GRADES 5-8

* Individual identity and development: How athletics can improved a person's physical and emotional health.

* Culture: How athletics are celebrated as an important component of society.

RESOURCES

PRINT

* Simons, Rae, The Best You Can Be: A Teen's Guide to Fitness (Mason Crest Publishers, 2004). Grades 5-8.

* Schlegel, Elfi, The Gymnastics Book: The Young Performer's Guide to Gymnastics (Firefly Books, 2001). Grades 5-8.

GROLIER WEB SITE KEY TERM

* Physical fitness

WEB SITES

* Carly Patterson www.carlypatterson.com

* Freddy Adu-D.C. United http://dcunited.mlsnet.com/ MLS/dcu/