While much is known about the causes and risk factors associated with overuse injuries and burnout, more research is needed, concludes a new position statement from the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. (DiFiori JP, et al 2014)

"The position statement provides a nice review of the literature that is available," says Jennifer M. Weiss, MD., an orthopedic surgeon with the Southern California Permanente Medical Group at the Los Angeles Medical Center, who was not involved in the preparation of the statement.  

"We do not know how many children and young athletes are affected by overuse injuries. Adolescent girls may be at the highest risk for overuse injuries. Early specialization in sports may put young athletes at risk for overuse injuries, and doesn't necessarily lead to long term success in their sport," says Weiss.